Leopard (Panthera pardus) predation on a red-tailed monkey (Cercopithecus ascanius) in the Issa Valley, western Tanzania

Edward McLester,Kyle Sweeney,Alex K. Piel,Fiona A. Stewart

doi:10.1007/s10329-018-0700-9

Abstract

Predation is predicted to be an important selection pressure for primates. Evidence for this hypothesis is rare, however, due to the scarcity of direct observations of primate predation. We describe an observation of leopard (Panthera pardus) predation on a red-tailed monkey (Cercopithecus ascanius schmidti) at the Issa Valley, a savanna-woodland mosaic landscape in western Tanzania. We compare rates of evidence of leopard presence between Issa and other primate study sites in sub-Saharan Africa. An increase in direct observations of leopards at Issa in recent years suggests that leopards may be habituating to researcher presence.

Highlights

Predation is predicted to be a critical selection pressure in primate evolution (Anderson 1986; Treves 1999; Zuberbühler and Jenny 2002)
Harpy eagles (Harpia harpyja) may preferentially hunt primates in clearings or open canopy forest (Eason 1989), and chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) avoid vegetation types that are associated with higher predation risk (Cowlishaw 1997)
For primates in open habitats predation pressures may differ compared to closed canopy, densely vegetated habitats

Summary

Introduction

Predation is predicted to be a critical selection pressure in primate evolution (Anderson 1986; Treves 1999; Zuberbühler and Jenny 2002). Predator avoidance is a primary explanation for the evolution of group living—an otherwise disadvantageous strategy given increased rates of intra-group feeding and mate competition (Isbell 1991; Majolo et al 2008). Group-living primates benefit from increased collective vigilance, better defence against predators (e.g. mobbing), and greater dilution of risk among group members (Morse 1977; Boinski et al 2000; Treves 2000). Multiple factors likely influence primate vulnerability to predation. Habitat structure should determine optimal opportunities for predators as well as prey vulnerability. We observed a leopard (Panthera pardus) that preyed upon on a single monkey at the Issa Valley, a savanna-woodland mosaic landscape in western Tanzania

Methods

Findings

Discussion