The diurnal primate community of the Tanoé Forest: species composition, relative abundance, distribution, polyspecific associations and conservation status

Abstract

The Tanoe Forest is located within the original distribution area of the Miss Waldron red colobus ( Piliocolobus badius waldronae ), the diana roloway ( Cercopithecus diana roloway ) and the white napped mangabey ( Cercocebus atys lunulatus ). These three monkey species are classified by IUCN among the 25 most threatened monkeys of the world. Surveys conducted in their believed distribution area in Cote d’Ivoire from 2004 to 2007 highlighted an advanced degradation of habitats, an intensive hunting activity and a subsequent local extinction of some primate species. Field survey conducted in the Tanoe Swamp Forest shown that there is an exception in this dramatic context since this forest still housing threatened species such as the Diana roloway, the white-napped mangabey, and other monkeys of conservation concern: the Geoffroy’s colobus ( Colobus vellerosus ) and the olive colobus ( Procolobus verus ), and probably a viable Miss Waldron monkeys population ( Piliocolobus waldronae ). In addition, this forest hosts the Lowe’s guenon ( Cercopithecus campbelli lowei ) and the lesser spot-nosed guenon ( Cercopithecus petaurista petaurista ), that are widespread in the Tanoe Swamp Forest. Keywords : Tanoe forest, primate community, endangered, Swamp Forest, distribution