Endemic Primate Species Research Articles

A Survey of Sclater‘s Guenon in Ikot Uso Akpan Community Forest, Itu, Nigeria

The study assessed the population of Sclater's guenon in Ikot Uso Akpan community forest. Line transect method with its census protocol was adopted for the survey. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, means, and frequency. The result shows that all the parameters measured across the two season showed no significant difference (p < 0.05) except for the differences in the sighting distances between the dry and rainy season which was observed to be significantly different (p < 0.05). The species had a mean encounter rate of 1.18km -1 , cluster/group density of 16.86±0.99km -1 , individual density of 82±2.64km -1 , population density of 57.40±1.85km -1 , Biomass density of 266.5±8.58kg/km 2 , and a population mass of 190.35±9.81kg. Habitat degradation in the area is severe and negatively impact on the population structure of the primate species in the study area resulting in an ageing population. Adequate measures are urgently needed to restore and conserved the forest fragment to ensure the survival of the endemic primate species in the study area.

Modelling the distribution of key tree species used by lion tamarins in the Brazilian Atlantic forest under a scenario of future climate change

We used three IPCC climate change scenarios (A1B, A2 and B1) in a dynamic vegetation model (CARAIB), to determine the potential future distribution of 75 tree species used by two endemic primate species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF). Habitat conservation is a vital part of strategies to protect endangered species, and this is a new approach to understanding how key plant species needed for survival of golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia) and golden-headed lion tamarins (L. chrysomelas) might be affected by climate change and what changes to their distribution are likely. The model accurately predicted the current distribution of BAF vegetation types, for 66 % of the individual tree species with 70 % agreement obtained for presence. In the simulation experiments for the future, 72 out of 75 tree species maintained more than 95 % of their original distribution and all species showed a range expansion. At the biome level, we note a substantial decrease in the sub-tropical forest area. There is some fragmentation of the savannah, which is encroached mostly by tropical seasonal forest. Where the current distribution shows a large sub-tropical forest biome, it has been replaced or encroached by tropical rainforest. The results suggested that the trees may benefit from an increase in temperature, if and only if soil water availability is not altered significantly, as was the case with climate simulations that were used. However, these results must be coupled with other information to maximise usefulness to conservation since BAF is already highly fragmented and subject to high anthropic pressure.

Two new specimens for the Bolivian endemic titi monkeys, &lt;i&gt;Callicebus olallae&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Callicebus modestus&lt;/i&gt;

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Ecology of an endemic primate species (Macaca siberu) on Siberut Island, Indonesia.

Logging and forest loss continues to be a major problem within Southeast Asia and as a result, many species are becoming threatened or extinct. The present study provides the first detailed and comprehensive ecological data on the Siberut macaque (Macaca siberu), a primate species living exclusively on the island of Siberut off the west coast of Sumatra. Our results show that M. siberu is ecologically similar to its closest relative M. nemestrina occurring on the mainland, both species being semi-terrestrial, mainly frugivorous (75-76%), exhibit a large daily travel distance for their group size and spend more time on traveling than any other macaque species. The habitat of Siberut macaques was floristically very diverse (Simpson’s index D=0.97), although somewhat impoverished in tree species richness, and had a lower tree basal area and a lower rattan density compared to other forests in Malesia (both rattan and palm tree fruit being an important food resource for Macaca siberu due to their long fruiting periods). These factors may lead to a lower diversity and abundance of fruit resources, and coupled with a high degree of frugivory of Siberut macaques, may explain the large amount of traveling observed in this species. The large home range requirements and strong dependence on fruit are important factors that need to be considered when developing conservation measures for this IUCN-listed (Category Vulnerable) species.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/2193-1801-2-137) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Conservation and Status of Sclater’s Guenon in Ikot Uso Akpan Community Forest, Itu, Nigeria

Ikot Uso Akpan community remains the only Sclateri?½s guenon habitat in Akwa Ibom State with pockets of forest fragments that serve as an important refuge for Sclater's guenon because the primate species is considered sacred and hunting of the species is prohibited in the community. This paper assesses the conservation efforts and the status of the species in the community. The study shows that habitat degradation in the area is severe and negatively impact on the population structure of the primate species in the study area resulting in an ageing population. Adequate measures are urgently needed to restore and conserved the forest fragment to ensure the survival of the endemic primate species in the study area.

Minimizing conservation conflict for endemic primate species in Atlantic forest and uncovering knowledge bias

SUMMARYHuman population is a predictor of mammal extinction risk, an indicator of conservation conflict and habitat conversion, and is thus associated with the threats to primate species. Priority areas that represent endemic primates in Atlantic Forest were identified where all counties had the same cost or where the costs of counties varied according to human population size (HPS); networks for both approaches consisted of nine counties. In the networks without human constraint, the average HPS was not higher than expected by chance alone. In the approach with human population constraint, HPS was not lower than the average of the null distribution. Although it is possible to minimize human conservation conflict, available occurrence data of endemic primates seems to be related to highly populated areas. The sum of HPS is greater in counties with some occurrence data than expected by chance. Conservation conflicts in the Atlantic Forest will continue to exist once this is the Brazilian most populous region, and data availability is directly related to counties' HPS. Field surveys are necessary to minimize Wallacean shortfall and efforts must be made to maintain the few natural areas remaining in this biome to promote the conservation of endemic primates and other biodiversity elements.

Reserve selection and persistence: complementing the existing Atlantic Forest reserve system

This study is an exercise to check the efficiency of the existing reserve system, and to show how systematic conservation planning—using information available and the com- plementarity concept—can improve the basis for decisions and minimize costs. We verified the performance, in number of cells and primate species representation, of the existing Atlantic Forest (Brazil) reserve network with a quarter-degree resolution grid, with 1,884 cells. We used occurrence data of 20 endemic primate species, and the maps of 237 existing reserves. Reserve networks were selected to represent primate species first considering no pre-existing reserves in Atlantic Forest, and then, considering the existing reserve system, taking into account the minimum area for viable population of the larger species (Northern muriqui Brachyteles hypoxanthus). Reserve selection was carried out using the complementarity concept implemented by a simulated annealing algorithm. Primate species representation (at least one occurrence in the network) could be achieved with 8% of the existing reserve system (nine cells in relation to the 120 in the existing reserve system). We found that today's reserve system represents 89% of endemic primate species, excluding the species Coimbra Filho's titi monkey (Callicebus coimbrai) and Marcgraf's capuchin (Cebus flavius). The networks selected without considering existing reserves contained nine cells. The networks selected considering existing reserves (120 cells), had two new cells necessary to represent all the primates. This does not mean that a viable alternative is to start from zero (i.e., nonexistent reserves). Identifying critical supplementary areas using biodiversity information to fill the gaps and then starting ''conservation in practice'' in these areas should be priorities.

Notes on the Natural History, Distribution and Conservation Status of the Andean Night Monkey,Aotus miconaxThomas, 1927

Abstract: The Andean night monkey Aotus miconax is found only in Peru's northeastern cloud forests, and is one of the country's three endemic primate species. Very little is known of this species; today largely limited to the records of Butchart et al. (1995) and a few museum specimens. Between 2005 and 2007, we observed A. miconax in various localities in the regions of Amazonas and San Martin, and recorded what we could of its natural history, distribution and conservation status. The Andean night monkey was observed to live in groups of two to four individuals, using sleeping sites at heights of 6 to 9 m. We have confirmed the presence of the species in 10 additional localities in Amazonas and San Martin, all between 900 and 2,788 m above sea level. It was recorded in various forests types, from primary to relict. Even though it is not hunted directly and can survive in disturbed habitats, the extremely high rate of deforestation in this area is threatening its long term survival. Research on the biolo...

Correlates with the distribution and abundance of endangered Sclater’s monkeys (Cercopithecus sclateri) in southern Nigeria

AbstractA distribution survey of the endangered Sclater’s monkey (Cercopithecus sclateri) was conducted over a wide area in southern Nigeria using forest surveys and hunter interviews. Sclater’s monkey, Nigeria’s only endemic primate species, is restricted to a land area of about 28,500 km2 in the densely human‐populated, oil‐producing region of southern Nigeria. Results indicate that this species is not as rare as previously thought; we confirmed its presence in 27 formerly unknown sites. Based on encounter‐rate and distribution data, Sclater’s monkey is one of the two most abundant diurnal primate taxa across its range. However, the species primarily occupies isolated and degraded forest fragments. Although hunting is widespread, selective hunting of larger‐bodied primate taxa offers some respite for the smaller Sclater’s monkey. We encountered this species more frequently in forests with relatively high hunting pressure, possibly indicating competitive release in the heavily hunted forests of southern Nigeria. Long‐term persistence of Sclater’s monkey, which has no official protection throughout its range, depends on the willingness of hunters to target smaller‐bodied wildlife (effort‐profit trade‐off), local bushmeat demand and protection of key forest fragments and the few larger forests in the region.

Primates follow the ‘island rule’: implications for interpreting Homo floresiensis

When the diminutive skeleton of Homo floresiensis was found on the Indonesian island of Flores, it was interpreted as an island dwarf, conforming to the 'island rule' that large animals evolve smaller size on islands, but small animals tend to get larger. However, previous studies of the island rule have not included primates, so the extent to which insular primate populations undergo size change was unknown. We use a comparative database of 39 independently derived island endemic primate species and subspecies to demonstrate that primates do conform to the island rule: small-bodied primates tend to get larger on islands, and large-bodied primates get smaller. Furthermore, larger species undergo a proportionally greater reduction in size on islands.

Human and natural impacts on forests along lower Tana river, Kenya: implications towards conservation and management of endemic primate species and their habitat

Seventy-three forest patches were assessed to determine the effects of human and natural impact on native forests along the Lower Tana River flood plains in Kenya between January and March 2001. Seventeen of these forests were within the Tana River Primate National Reserve (TRPNR) while 56 were outside the protected area. Cultivation and dyke construction had the most devastating human impact, which involved partial or complete forest clearing resulting in further fragmentation of forest patches [Suleman MA, Wahungu GM, Mouria PK, Karere GM, Oguge N, Moinde NN (2001) Tana River primate census and forest evaluation. A report to Kenya Wildlife Services]. Natural impacts were either die back or flooding, which appeared to cause progressive degradation of forest structure and biodiversity. Overall, forest area in the Lower Tana significantly reduced by 34.5% (P < 0.001) over a 21-year period. Forest loss was greater outside the reserve (38%) than inside (29.2%) reiterating the significant role played by this protected area in habitat and species conservation. Continued forest loss increases extinction risks for the endemic primate species the Tana River Red Colobus (Procolobus rufomitratus) and the Crested Mangabey sub-species (Cercocebus galeritus galeritus). Initiation of community conservation programmes outside the reserve and introduction of sustainable micro-economic projects were recommended to enhance sustainable livelihoods and the environment.

Molecular phylogenetic affinities of the simakobu monkey ( Simias concolor)

The simakobu (Simias concolor), or pig-tailed snubnosed langur, is one of four endemic primate species on the Mentawai Islands oV the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, and is currently considered a monotypic genus (BrandonJones et al., 2004; Miller, 1903). This species, like many other colobines, is a specialized folivore found in tropical rainforests. The simakobu monkey is a member of the “odd-nosed” group of Asian colobines, an informal grouping that also includes the proboscis monkey of Borneo (Nasalis larvatus), the snub-nosed monkeys of China and Vietnam (Rhinopithecus spp.), and the douc langurs of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia (Pygathrix spp.). There is no agreement, however, on the relationships among these genera, nor whether they even form a natural taxonomic or phylogenetic group (Delson, 1975; Groves, 1970, 2001; Jablonski, 1998; though see Sterner et al., in press). Geographically, the simakobu is found closest to the proboscis monkey, and some morphological data have indicated that these species are sister taxa. Both Simias and Nasalis exhibit narrow, long-faced skulls; long narrow nasal bones; and similar hair patterns (Groves, 1970). These two species appear to share more traits than do Rhinopithecus and Pygathrix, and some researchers have suggested that Simias should be subsumed into the genus Nasalis (Delson, 1975; Groves, 1970), perhaps as a subgenus (Delson, 1975); Groves (2001; Brandon-Jones, et al., 2004) appears to have retreated from the close linkage of these genera, though is not necessarily opposed to it (Groves, pers. comm.).

Primate Hotspots on Borneo: Predictive Value for General Biodiversity and the Effects of Taxonomy

Abstract:The identification of hotspots, or geographic areas that are particularly rich in biodiversity, is increasingly used to set conservation priorities. We investigated the spatial patterns of primate species richness and endemism in Borneo to assess whether primates are good indicators of biodiversity hotspots for other taxa. Based on locality records for the 13 primate species present on the island ( n= 1414, range 26–273 records/species ), we prepared primate distribution maps. By overlaying these distribution maps in a geographic information system, we created maps that revealed the most species‐rich area to be a tropical wet evergreen forest in central‐eastern East Kalimantan, Indonesia, in which 11 species coexisted. No other studies had so far identified this region as a biodiversity hotspot. Generally, the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak are considered richest in general species diversity. We suggest that the main reason for this is the low number of biodiversity studies that have been conducted in Indonesian Borneo compared with Malaysian Borneo and a focus in biodiversity studies on mountain habitats rather than lowlands. We used two alternative taxonomic classifications of Bornean primates, one based on a biological and the other on a phylogenetic species concept, to determine whether the outcome of hotspot identification depended on taxonomic classification. The location of endemic primate species hotspots depended on the choice of species concept, whereas identification of the hotspots of primate species richness was not affected by choice of species concept. Our results suggest that a hotspot identification based on a relatively small group of taxa can vary with the group of species under investigation and their taxonomic classifications. Because of the lack of congruence between fine‐scale hotspots of Bornean primate diversity and other hotspots reported in the literature, Bornean primates appear unsuitable for identifying areas of general species richness. Bornean primates may, however, be useful indicators of lowland diversity on the island.

Extinction of Snub-Nosed Monkeys in China During the Past 400 Years

We describe the historical change in distribution of snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus), a genus which includes 3 of the 4 endemic primate species in China, from the Qing Dynasty (1616) to 2001. The monkeys were once widely distributed in south, southwest and central China, and in two provinces in northwest China (Gansu and Shaanxi). Unfortunately, most of their populations in the plains and in some mountainous regions have vanished. Today, extant groups occur only in isolated mountainous regions with an altitude ≤4,500 m above sea level. The dramatic diminution is closely related to social and natural events, which occurred in China during the last 400 years. 1) the rapidly increasing density of human beings, especially during the twentieth century; 2) wars, especially in the first half of the 20th century; 3) deteriorating environments and accelerated deforestation and 4) hunting monkeys for food, medicinal and economic purposes.

A Comment on the Impact of Development Schemes on the Floodplain Forests of the Tana River of Kenya

This paper presents the preliminary results of an ecological study in the floodplain forests of the lower Tana River of Kenya. The different forest types within the floodplain are described in detail and attempts are made to understand the recent environmental history ofthe forests. It is suggested that the forests are dependent on periods of high sustained floods for regeneration of major canopy species. It is postulated that a wetter climate in East Africa at the end of the last century (Lamb, 1966) promoted widespread forest regeneration in the floodplain but that the wetter climate experienced since the 1960s has not promoted similar regeneration because of human influences in the form of local population increase and construction of development schemes. Dams built in the Upper Tana are already reducing flood levels and a series of proposed dams will probably accentuate this process. A large-scale irrigation scheme in the Lower Tana is accelerating forest destruction through wood collection for fuel and house-building poles. NUMEROUS STUDIES HAVE been carried out on floodplain forests in temperate latitudes, especially in North America (Sigafoos, 1964; Wilson, 1970; Carter Johnson etai, 1976; Teversham and Slaymaker, 1976; Nanson and Beach, 1977; Teskey and Hinkley, 1979) but few detailed studies have been carried out in tropical floodplain forests. In temperate areas, it has been possible to build up detailed histories of floodplain vegetation through tree-ring analysis and to relate regeneration of floodplain species to sedimentation patterns and flood regimes. In many tropical areas, poor hydrological data and problematical use of tree-rings (Eckstein, 1980; Broecker et al., 1980; Mariaux, 1980; Ogden, 1980; Tomlinson and Longman, 1980) make studies of floodplain ecology very difficult. This paper presents some preliminary findings on the composition, structure and dynamics of the Lower Tana Floodplain forests in Kenya and attempts to relate them to environmental variables such as flood regimes, deposition and climate. Data collection has been carried out over a period of two years but a detailed analysis of the data has not yet been completed. The Tana River of Kenya rises on Mount Kenya and the Aberdares and flows into the Indian Ocean north of Malindi (Fig. 1). The lower reach of the river is generally considered to lie below the Kora Rapids. From here to the sea, it meanders through a semi-arid alluvial plain and supports a narrow band of evergreen forest. In its upper reaches, a series of dams is being built and in the lower reaches, large-scale irrigation schemes are presently under construction. Both directly and indirectly, these developments are likely to have adverse effects on the floodplain forests. The obvious economic problems arising from forest destruction must claim the attention of those developing the Tana River Basin. These problems include loss of firewood and house-building poles for local people inhabiting the river banks and potential increase in river bank instability, affecting irrigation works and the agricultural practices of the local people. On a less obviously pragmatic level, the floodplain forests are very important to the wildlife of the area, notably to some endemic primate species, the Tana Mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus galeritus) and the Tana River Red Colobus (Colobus badius rufomitratus), which are classified as 'critically endangered' and 'rare' respectively in the Red Data Books of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (Simon, 1966). The data collected in the present study are used to make a preliminary assessment of the impact that the development schemes in the Tana may have on the ecology of these floodplain forests.