Aims: Effect of tree species composition and food selectivity on the population density of the Sclater’s guenon was carried out to determine how habitat composition and food preferences affect population density of the Sclater’s monkeys in the study area. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in forest patches of Lagwa community in Aboh-Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State (December 2019-November 2021). Study Design: The point centered quarter method was used to collect data on trees species, while the visual observation and line transect methods was used to collect data on food preference and population density of the monkeys. Methodology: The research was carried out within the wet and dry season. Faecal examination was used for collecting information on plant and fruit species consumed. Results: The most dominant tree species were Khaya ivorensis and Treculia africana with important value index (IVI) of 35.13 and 26.73 respectively, while Bosqueia angolensis was the least dominant species with IVI of 0.99. Tree species with diameter at breast height class of 41cm and above were absent in Eziudo, Obo and Umunekere communities. Dacryodes edulis, Elaeis guinensis, Mangifera indica and Musa balbisiana were the most consumed plant species. The mean troop sizes were 3.21±1.42 for the dry season and 2.78±1.25 for the wet season, with troop density for both seasons as 0.03±0.02. Conclusion: The findings presents the relationship between the Sclater’s monkey’s diet and their habitat, and how habitat changes can cause changes in the feeding pattern, type of food and meals consumed. Sensitization campaigns and provision of alternative food sources for humans can reduce disturbance of the habitat and further sustain the population of the monkeys.
Aims: Assessment of conflict between humans and sclater’s guenon in relation to plant species utilization was carried out to determine the conflict between humans and monkey, and identify the plant species parts utilized by the monkeys in area. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Lagwa community forest, Aboh-Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State, between December 2019 and November 2021. Study Design: The Point transect and visual observation methods were used to collect data on population and food availability. Methodology: The research was conducted during the dry and wet seasons. Questionnaire were used to collect information on conflict between humans and guenons, while visual observation and faecal examination were used to identify plant species and part utilized. Results: Habitat loss, raiding of farms, destruction of roof tops, and food scarcity were the causes of conflicts between monkeys and humans, while awareness creation and establishment of wildlife sanctuary were ways of reducing conflicts between monkeys and humans. Twenty six plant species were utilized by the monkeys for cover. Pear (21%), oil palm (16%), and mango (13%) were the most utilized during the dry season, while Pterocarpus erinaceous (15%), Dacryodes edulis and Treculia africana (11%) were utilized mostly during the wet season. The monkeys consumed more seeds (63%), less fruits (25%), and leaves (13%) during the wet season, and fruits (71%), leaves and seeds (14%) during the dry season. Conclusion: The findings of this research is a guide to understanding the conflict that exist between humans and the sclater’s guenon, as well as communicate the type of plants and parts consumed by the animals. Awareness creation on the need to regenerate the remaining fragmented habitat and establishment of a rehabilitation centre for the animals can be a conflict reduction measure, and can provide alternative food sources for the animals.
The population status, feeding behaviour and habitat preference of the helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) were investigated in this research. The period of carrying out the research comprised from january to october, of 2021. The line transect method was used to collect data on the population status of the species. The quadrate vegetation sampling method was used to investigate the preferred habitat. Data generated from the research were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while results were compared using chi-square (X2) test, one way Analysis of Variance and t-test. The average number Numida meleagris in the study area was 434 and 293 during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The most important daytime activities of the species were feeding, resting, scanning and running. The observed population differ significantly across sectors during the wet and dry seasons (X2 = 8.00, p = 0.03). The relationship between allocated time to each activity and time of the day was greatly significant (X2= 4.04, p = .001). The number of individuals was 3.0±4.0 and 5.0±0.2 individuals/km2 during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. The importance value index (IVI) for Gmelina arborea, Tectona grandis and Elaeis guineensis were 24.41, 20.39, and 18.17, representing the dominant plant species in the study area. Human disturbance was responsible for loss of habitat, nesting and foraging sites. Protection of the habitat against exploitation will reduce poaching habitat destruction, and restore its nesting sites, thereby increasing its population.
Aims: We assessed the population abundance, density and habitat preference of sclater’s guenon (Cercopithecus sclateri) in Aboh-Mbaise communal forest to inform conservation efforts for the species now and in the future. Study Design: We used the point count sampling method to estimate population size. Place and duration of study: The study was carried out in Lagwa communal forest, Aboh-Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State, between December 2019 and November 2021. Methodology: We laid-out eight 2.5-km transects in a land area of 28,500km2. We enumerated and measured trees using the point-centered quarter method. Results: Results of this study indicated that they were 738 individual monkeys, 392 in dry and 346 in the wet seasons. The population density was 0.04 ± 0.01 individuals/km2, with troop sizes of 4.09±0.83 and 3.68 ± 0.75 for dry and wet seasons, respectively. The monkeys were sighted mostly in secondary forest, sacred groves, and economic trees. Most of the trees were within the diameter-at-breast-height class of 21cm-30 cm. A total of (304) plant species were used by the monkeys for cover in both seasons; these included Dacryodes edulis, Elaeis guinensis, Magnifera indica, Treculia africana and Pterocarpus erinaceous. Conclusion: The findings of this research is a prelude to understanding the population dynamics and habitat structure of the sclater’s guenon in the study area. Massive sensitization of the locals, regeneration of the remaining fragmented habitat and establishment of a wildlife sanctuary are needed to allow conservation of the species and its habitat.
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