------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x... more ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------xi CHAPTER ONE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The survival of the Tana River mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus) is threatened primarily by habitat... more The survival of the Tana River mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus) is threatened primarily by habitat fragmentation and loss due to pressure from human activities. However, the effects of such anthropogenic disturbance on the species' behavioral ecology are poorly understood. This study aimed to identify the anthropogenic activities and their impacts on mangabey behavior in Mchelelo and Mkomani forest patches in the Tana River Primate National Reserve. We hypothesized that Mkomani would experience higher levels of anthropogenic activities compared to Mchelelo due to its proximity to human settlements. Because detrimental human activities-such as tree cutting, palm wine tapping, and palm leaf harvesting-alter the forest habitat's cover, density, and distribution of important mangabey plant foods, we predicted that the species' behavior will show differences between the two sites due to varying levels of these human activities. We used quadrat and focal animal sampling methods to collect data on anthropogenic activities and to score mangabey behavior, respectively. Overall, tree cutting was the dominant human disturbance, followed by palm leaf harvesting and fire. Tree cutting and palm leaf harvesting were both higher in Mkomani compared to Mchelelo, respectively. Palm wine tapping was recorded exclusively in Mchelelo, while fire burning occurred only in Mkomani. The most exploited and important plant foods for the mangabeys were Phoenix reclinata, Polysphaeria multiflora, Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius, and Thespesia danis. The group in Mkomani forest spent more time feeding and engaging in social interactions compared to that in Mchelelo. Our findings suggest that high exploitation of mangabey plant foods correspond with increased time spent feeding and in social interaction. Our findings are critical for informing the management and conservation of the Cercocebus galeritus and their habitat-especially in efforts to mitigate the detrimental anthropogenic activities in the lower Tana River forest patches.
Kenya. Higherti Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus hilgerti) occupy the Acacia-Commiphora wo... more Kenya. Higherti Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus hilgerti) occupy the Acacia-Commiphora woodlands and the riverine forest in the Ngare narok area. Data on behavioral activities was recorded using a focal animal sampling method together with recording food plant species and plant parts that were fed on. The objectives of the study were to determine what was the main behavioral activity and the most preferred food plant species and part by the Vervet monkeys in Ngare-narok area. I hypothesized that there was no major behavioral activity of the Vervet monkey and that they do not prefer certain food plant species and plant part fed on. The study had two predictions: 1) Feeding activity is the major activity by Vervet monkeys and 2) Food plant species and part eaten do not vary among the Vervet monkeys. Resting behavior was the most observed (33%), followed by moving (30%), feeding (24%) and social activities (5%) respectively. Commiphora schimperi was the most preferred food plant species compared to other species. Seeds of the food plants formed the most preferred plant part by the Vervet monkeys. The Vervet monkeys spend most of their time resting and moving in search of food because the area is dry. The challenges were rough, steep and rocky terrain. The group was not sufficiently habituated so observer individual distance introduced bias associated with distance. The data accumulated provide basis for study of behavioral activities of Hilgert Vervet monkey in this area and conservation of the habitat should be enhanced.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x... more ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------xi CHAPTER ONE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The survival of the Tana River mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus) is threatened primarily by habitat... more The survival of the Tana River mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus) is threatened primarily by habitat fragmentation and loss due to pressure from human activities. However, the effects of such anthropogenic disturbance on the species' behavioral ecology are poorly understood. This study aimed to identify the anthropogenic activities and their impacts on mangabey behavior in Mchelelo and Mkomani forest patches in the Tana River Primate National Reserve. We hypothesized that Mkomani would experience higher levels of anthropogenic activities compared to Mchelelo due to its proximity to human settlements. Because detrimental human activities-such as tree cutting, palm wine tapping, and palm leaf harvesting-alter the forest habitat's cover, density, and distribution of important mangabey plant foods, we predicted that the species' behavior will show differences between the two sites due to varying levels of these human activities. We used quadrat and focal animal sampling methods to collect data on anthropogenic activities and to score mangabey behavior, respectively. Overall, tree cutting was the dominant human disturbance, followed by palm leaf harvesting and fire. Tree cutting and palm leaf harvesting were both higher in Mkomani compared to Mchelelo, respectively. Palm wine tapping was recorded exclusively in Mchelelo, while fire burning occurred only in Mkomani. The most exploited and important plant foods for the mangabeys were Phoenix reclinata, Polysphaeria multiflora, Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius, and Thespesia danis. The group in Mkomani forest spent more time feeding and engaging in social interactions compared to that in Mchelelo. Our findings suggest that high exploitation of mangabey plant foods correspond with increased time spent feeding and in social interaction. Our findings are critical for informing the management and conservation of the Cercocebus galeritus and their habitat-especially in efforts to mitigate the detrimental anthropogenic activities in the lower Tana River forest patches.
Kenya. Higherti Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus hilgerti) occupy the Acacia-Commiphora wo... more Kenya. Higherti Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus hilgerti) occupy the Acacia-Commiphora woodlands and the riverine forest in the Ngare narok area. Data on behavioral activities was recorded using a focal animal sampling method together with recording food plant species and plant parts that were fed on. The objectives of the study were to determine what was the main behavioral activity and the most preferred food plant species and part by the Vervet monkeys in Ngare-narok area. I hypothesized that there was no major behavioral activity of the Vervet monkey and that they do not prefer certain food plant species and plant part fed on. The study had two predictions: 1) Feeding activity is the major activity by Vervet monkeys and 2) Food plant species and part eaten do not vary among the Vervet monkeys. Resting behavior was the most observed (33%), followed by moving (30%), feeding (24%) and social activities (5%) respectively. Commiphora schimperi was the most preferred food plant species compared to other species. Seeds of the food plants formed the most preferred plant part by the Vervet monkeys. The Vervet monkeys spend most of their time resting and moving in search of food because the area is dry. The challenges were rough, steep and rocky terrain. The group was not sufficiently habituated so observer individual distance introduced bias associated with distance. The data accumulated provide basis for study of behavioral activities of Hilgert Vervet monkey in this area and conservation of the habitat should be enhanced.
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