Topic
Cercopithecus sclateri
About: Cercopithecus sclateri is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 8 publications have been published within this topic receiving 179 citations.
Papers
TL;DR: A 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.
Abstract: A 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.
Resume
Une etude de la distribution du moustac de Sclater, Cercopithecus sclateri, espece en danger, a ete realisee dans une vaste zone du sud du Nigeria, au moyen de recherches en foret et d’interviews de chasseurs. Le moustac, qui est la seule espece de primate endemique du Nigeria, se limite a une superficie d’environ 28.500 km2 dans la region densement peuplee du sud du Nigeria, ou l’on produit du petrole. Les resultats indiquent que cette espece n’est pas aussi rare qu’on le pensait; nous avons pu confirmer sa presence dans 27 sites inconnus auparavant. D’apres le taux de rencontres et les donnees de sa distribution, Cercopithecus sclateri est un des deux taxons de primates diurnes les plus abondants dans son domaine vital. Cependant, l’espece occupe principalement des portions de forets degradees et isolees. Bien que la chasse soit courante, le choix des taxons de primates plus grands offre quelque repit au plus petit Cercopithecus sclateri. Nous avons rencontre cette espece plus frequemment dans les forets ou la pression de la chasse etait relativement forte, ce qui indique peut-etre un relâchement de la competition dans les forets du sud du Nigeria ou la chasse est tres intense. La survie a long terme du moustac de Sclater, qui ne beneficie d’aucune protection officielle dans toute son aire de repartition, depend de la decision des chasseurs de cibler aussi des especes plus petites (compromis effort/profit), de la demande locale pour la viande de brousse et de la protection des fragments de foret critiques et des quelques plus grandes forets de la region.
68 citations
TL;DR: The results illustrate that occupancy can be suitable for monitoring vigilant forest primates where detection distances are difficult to measure, but special attention is required to choose spatial and temporal scales that accommodate the method’s closure and independent-detection assumptions.
Abstract: Count-based indices and distance sampling are widely used to monitor primate populations. Indices are often confounded by variation in detectability, whereas distance sampling is generally ineffective with species that flee or hide from observers and where it is difficult to accurately measure detection distances. We tested occupancy modeling as a means to monitor Sclater’s monkey (Cercopithecus sclateri), an endemic of Nigeria. We evaluated effects of survey methodology, habitat, and human disturbance on detection probability and site occupancy. Average detectability was high (p = 0.81), but varied substantially between two observers. Occupancy was highest in areas with intermediate levels (20–40%) of farmland and secondary forest, and was unaffected by human disturbance. Sampling plots (4 and 6.25 ha) did not concurrently contain >1 monkey group, were likely closed to monkey movements during the replicate surveys of each plot, and were spatially separated so that it was unlikely the same group was observed in >1 plot. These conditions enabled the conversion of occupancy to group density. Scaled to 6.25 ha, model-weighted occupancy averaged 0.230 (SE 0.103), yielding an estimate of 3.7 groups/km2 (95% CI 1.4–7.7 groups/km2). Because some groups straddled plot boundaries, we assumed that half of these groups were inside the plots, resulting in an adjusted estimate of 3.1 groups/km2. Our results illustrate that occupancy can be suitable for monitoring vigilant forest primates where detection distances are difficult to measure. However, special attention is required to choose spatial and temporal scales that accommodate the method’s closure and independent-detection assumptions.
61 citations
TL;DR: Investigation of reports of sacred monkeys in the Igbo‐speaking region of Nigeria confirmed nine new sites where primates are protected as sacred and visited two communities previously known to harbor sacred populations of Ce.
Abstract: Although primates are hunted on a global scale, some species are protected against harassment and killing by taboos or religious doctrines. Sites where the killing of sacred monkeys or the destruction of sacred groves is forbidden may be integral to the conservation of certain species. In 2004, as part of a distribution survey of Sclater's guenon (Cercopithecus sclateri) in southern Nigeria, we investigated reports of sacred monkeys in the Igbo-speaking region of Nigeria. We confirmed nine new sites where primates are protected as sacred: four with tantalus monkeys (Chlorocebus tantalus) and five with mona monkeys (Cercopithecus mona). During 2004–2006, we visited two communities (Akpugoeze and Lagwa) previously known to harbor sacred populations of Ce. sclateri to estimate population abundance and trends. We directly counted all groups and compared our estimates with previous counts when available. We also estimated the size of sacred groves and compared these with grove sizes reported in the literature. The mean size of the sacred groves in Akpugoeze (2.06 ha, n=10) was similar to others in Africa south of the Sahel, but larger than the average grove in Lagwa (0.49 ha, n=15). We estimated a total population of 124 Sclater's monkeys in 15 groups in Lagwa and 193 monkeys in 20 groups in Akpugoeze. The Akpugoeze population was relatively stable over two decades, although the proportion of infants declined, and the number of groups increased. As Sclater's monkey does not occur in any official protected areas, sacred populations are important to the species' long-term conservation. Despite the monkeys' destruction of human crops, most local people still adhere to the custom of not killing monkeys. These sites represent ideal locations in which to study the ecology of Sclater's monkey and human–wildlife interactions. Am. J. Primatol. 71:574–586, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
31 citations
TL;DR: The social taboos related to monkeys and sacred groves remain largely intact; however, other factors threaten the monkey population and remaining forests in this community complex, including the removal of tree patches to accommodate the construction of large residential buildings and the demand for cropland, as well as increased dumping of waste in forested sites.
Abstract: Globally, some species and habitats receive protection through local belief systems (e.g. indigenous religions) and informal institutions (e.g. social norms and taboos). Where such systems represent the only form of protection for threatened species or environments, they may be critical to the survival of those taxa and sites. We evaluated the effectiveness of long-standing social taboos protecting the Endangered Sclater's monkey Cercopithecus sclateri and forest groves in a community complex in Nigeria. Across its range (southern Nigeria), Sclater's monkey is effectively protected only through informal institutions. At our study site, we conducted a census of the monkey population; measured the area of sacred groves; and compared our findings with estimates from 2010 and 2005, respectively. We observed a 36% increase in the monkey population (from 249 to 339 individuals) in a core survey area. No groves that we assessed in 2005 had been fully cleared. Although we observed a decline in tree cover for several sacred forests, most groves used regularly by monkeys had changed little. The social taboos related to monkeys and sacred groves remain largely intact; however, other factors threaten the monkey population and remaining forests in this community complex, including the removal of tree patches to accommodate the construction of large residential buildings and the demand for cropland, as well as increased dumping of waste in forested sites. This study highlights the conservation importance and limitations of local cultural protection, as well as the challenges presented when such protection conflicts with community-perceived development needs.
16 citations
TL;DR: New data is reported on the occurrence and range of seven mammal species in the rainforest region of south-eastern Nigeria that, out of these seven species, one is Critically Endangered (CR), four are End endangered (EN), one is Lower Risk, least concern, and one is Not Evaluated (NE).
Abstract: In this paper we report new data on the occurrence and range of seven mammal species in the rainforest region of south-eastern Nigeria. The species in question are: Potamogale velox (Insec- tivora), Cercopithecus sclateri, Procolobus badiiis epieni (Primates), Manis fetradactyla (Pholidota), Furiisciurus pyrropus talboti (Rodentia), Trichechus seizegalensis (Sirenia) and Tragelaphus spekii gra- tus (Artiodactyla). In terms of conservation (according to latest IUCN criteria and categories), we di- scovered some critical information concerning the mammal fauna in the area. In fact, out of these seven species, one is Critically Endangered (CR), four are Endangered (EN), one is Lower Risk, least concern (LR, lc), and one is Not Evaluated (NE). Deforestation and excessive hunting pressure are the biggest threats for mammals in the Niger Delta. In particular, endemic taxa and species whose range and status are unknown, could be particularly endangered.
13 citations
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |