标题：Population size, habitat association and dietary composition of Boutourlinis blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis boutourlinii) in Komto Protected Forest, Western Ethiopia
期刊名称：International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation
电子版ISSN：2141-243X
出版年度：2016
卷号：8
期号：10
页码：259-268
DOI：10.5897/IJBC2016.1007
语种：English
出版社：Academic Journals
摘要：A study on the population size, habitat association and dietary composition of Boutourlini’s blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis boutourlinii) was carried out from January, 2015 to September, 2016 in Komto Protected Forest. Data was collected for a total of 58 days encompassing both the wet and dry seasons. Scan sampling method was used to collect data on the diet and foraging behaviour of Boutourlini’s blue monkeys. Population size was determined by total counting method. A total of two groups (natural and riverine forest) and 29 individuals of Boutourlini’s blue monkeys were recorded in the study area. Natural forest group was selected to study about the diet and foraging behaviour of Boutourlini’s blue monkeys. The overall dietary composition of Boutourlini’s blue monkeys was dominated by young leaves which accounted for 27.40% of the total diet. In addition, they fed on mature leaves (20.3%), fruits (15.38%), flowers (11.24%), shoots (8.99%), bark (6.91%), seeds (4.93%) and animal matter (3.37%). They consumed a total of 21 plant species belonging to 18 families. Syzygium guineense was the most consumed plant species and constituted 16.68% of Boutourlini’s blue monkey diet followed by Ficus sur (13.13%) and Prunus africana (12.01%). The most often utilized foraging method was capturing and manipulating food using both hands. This accounted for 47.97% of total foraging observations followed by grabbing (31.46%) and pulling (11.93%). Boutourlini’s blue monkeys were restricted to natural and riverine forest habitats in Komto Protected Forest. Preference of such taper ecological niche resulted from selective deforestation for timber and charcoal production, trampling of habitats by livestock and agricultural land expansion. To ensure future conservation of Boutourlini’s blue monkeys, habitat rehabilitation, enforcement of laws against deforestation for timber and charcoal production, and other appropriate management and conservation strategies should be designed.
关键词：Boutourlini’s blue monkeys;diet;foraging behavior;habitat association;Komto Protected Forest
