Conservation and Survival Adaptations of Temminck’s Red Colobus (Procolobus badius temmincki), in Senegal

Abstract

In the Fathala Forest, Saloum Delta National Park, Senegal, in 1974-1976and 1988-2002 studied the northernmost populations of the endangered Temminck's red colobus (Procolobus badius temmincki). Drastic habitat changes in the last 30 yr have reduced the forests by >50% (75% in the gallery forests used by the red colobus). The woody species diversity decreased by >30%. Despite these changes, the red colobus population only decreased from ca. 600 to ca. 500 individuals. We examined the ecological conditions and behavioral adaptations that may have influenced survival of the population. We found that 5 major adaptations have emerged in the last 30 yr that may have influenced the survival of red colobus at Fathala: (1) frugivory, (2) terrestriality, (3) tendency to form polyspecific associations with green monkeys, (4) tendency to frequent more open habitats, and (5) use of mangrove swamps for refuge and forage. By developing these adaptations, red colobus demonstrated their ability to persist in degraded habitats of the Fathala Forest. Preserving the forest should ensure the conservation of the red colobus population there.

Evolutionary Acceleration and Divergence in Procolobus kirkii

“…Kingdon (1990, p. 244) described Africa as "a pattern of islands" (p. 244) and warned that "Africa's natural communities are in the process of being cut up into separate islands and it will become increasingly difficult to distinguish man-made island communities from those that were once naturally isolated" (p. 234). Endemic species such as Procolobus kirkii, as well as other Procolobus spp., all of which are at risk of becoming increasingly relict and disjunctly distributed within remaining forests, may eventually become extinct unless they adapt or continue to adapt to drier and less forested conditions (Burgess et al 1998) or find refugia in alternative and less human-accessible habitats such as mangroves (Galat-Luong and Galat 2005;Nowak 2008). Carefully designed studies that integrate specific aspects of morphology, behavior, and ecology, undertaken by collaborative multidisciplinary teams, will help to identify the limits of such adaptation and adaptability, and will facilitate conservation planning.…”

Frequent water drinking by Zanzibar red colobus (Procolobus kirkii) in a mangrove forest refuge

“…The enforcement of protection of mangrove forests where they support primate and other species is needed in Zanzibar, especially where coral rag forest has been disturbed. Mangroves are a refuge for the bearded saki monkey (Chiropotes satanas) and the tufted capuchin (Cebus apella apella) in Brazil [Fernandes, 1991;Lacerda & Kjerfve, 1999], the proboscis monkey (N. larvatus) in Borneo [Salter et al, 1985], and the use of mangroves for food and shelter by the Senegal red colobus (P. badius temmickii) has been listed among five of its survival adaptations [Galat-Luong & Galat, 2005].…”

Dry season drinking from terrestrial man-made watering holes in arboreal wild Temminck's red colobus, The Gambia

“…Of particular concern here are (1) the presence of domestic dogs in both ANR (Starin, 1991;A. P. Hillyer, personal observation, 2013) and BFP (R. Armstrong, personal observation, 2013), which are known to hunt colobus (Galat-Luong and Galat, 2005), and (2) in ANR livestock carcasses (used to feed captive hyenas within the home range of the orphanage group) were left in contact with the ground, on which the colobus frequently cross. This has implications for colobus health/survival.…”