Tantalus monkey

Abstract: The feeding behaviour of representative groups of tantalus monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops tantalus) was observed during 1974–1975 in three habitats in Cameroon. Observations took place during the wet

Abstract: Many of the world's tropical forests are under threat, with anthropogenic deforestation and degradation occurring at an alarming rate. Seed dispersal in an important process in forest restoration and regeneration, however seed rain is often low in degraded habitats, hindering reforestation efforts. Up to 90% of tropical fruit are dispersed by vertebrates, animal seed dispersers are incredibly important in maintaining forest health. Additionally, frugivores that disperse seeds into degraded areas may be of great importance in aiding natural reforestation. I therefore, investigated the potential role of the frugivorous monkey, Chlorocebus tantalus tantalus, in forest regeneration via seed dispersal. I assessed its patterns of habitat use, the quality and quantity of seed dispersal it provides, the effectiveness of current conservation management actions and the density of C. t. tantalus at Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve. I found C. t. tantalus utilised forest, edge and grassland habitats, and dispersed seeds of 28 pioneer and forest edge species into these habitats. Moreover, the number of seeds dispersed per faeces was significantly higher in the grassland than the forest with means of 16.4 +/6.1 and 3.4 +/0.97 seeds >2 mm in these habitats respectively. Germination of C. t. tantalus dispersed seeds was highest in grazed grassland and lowest in grassland protected from grazing and fire, suggesting the current practice of fencing off grassland to protect from cattle grazing may not be sufficient on its own, due to seed-seedling conflict in habitat suitability. These findings combined with an estimated density of 28 +/10.8 C. t. tantalus individuals km suggests C. t. tantalus may benefit forest regeneration via its role as a seed disperser, provided appropriate management actions are implemented. This and other

Abstract: Simian T-cell lymphoma/leukemia virus-1 (STLV-1) infection of non-human primates can serve as a model for human T-cell lymphoma/leukemia virus infection. Two tantalus and 2 patas monkeys were transfused with intraspecies whole blood infected with STLV-1. Infection was determined by ELISA, western blot and DNA PCR analyses. The entire genome of the STLV-1 Tan 90 strain and some of the STVL-1 Pat74 strain were amplified using over-lapping primer-pairs and subsequently sequenced. Followup studies conducted over 2 years indicated that all 4 monkeys remained healthy despite being infected with STLV-1, as determined by PCR, cloning and sequencing analyses. ELISA and Western blot analyses indicated that both patas monkeys seroconverted within 2 months of transfusion, while one tantalus monkey required one year to seroconvert and the other never fully seroconverted. The tantalus monkey which never fully seroconverted, failed to react to HTLV-1 p24 Gag antigen. Sequence analyses indicated that, while unique, the deduced p24 Gag amino acid sequence of the STLV-1 Tan 90 strain used for infection was still highly homologous to the HTLV-1 p24 Gag amino acids present in the ELISA and WB assays. However, a mutation in the pol sequence of STLV-1 Tan 90 encoded a putative stop codon, while a common deletion in the pol/rex regulatory gene causes significant changes in the Pol, and p27 Rex proteins. These same mutations were also observed in the viral DNA of both recipient infected tantalus monkeys and were not present in the STLV-1 Pat 74 strain. Our data suggest that seroconversion to STLV-1 infection may be prolonged due to the above mutations, and that compensatory molecular events must have occurred to allow for virus transmission.

Abstract: The variation in the plant materials and nutritional values of the materials consumed by Baboons (Papio anubis) and Tantalus monkeys (Chlorocebus tantalus) over the wet and dry seasons in nine communities surrounding Yankari Game reserve were evaluated. Feeding animals were observed to keep records of plant species and plant part (such as fruits, seeds, leaves, shoots) consumed by the animals. The protein (nitrogen), ash and fibre contents of the plant parts were assessed. Macro and micro nutrients tested for in each sample are Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Manganese, Copper, Iron, Phosphorus and Zinc by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Irrespective of the study sites and the season of the year, these non-human primates were primarily frugivorous. The food materials eaten by Baboon and Tantalus monkey in the study sites show that both animals feed on Tamarindus indica, Zea mays, Diospyros mespiliformis, Grasshopper and other insects. Vittelaria paradoxum and Kigelia africana was only consumed by baboons. There were variations in the plant parts consumed by both animals in the two seasons of the year. Baboons consumed more of the seeds of Zea mays while Tantalus monkeys consumed more of the shoots. The nutrient composition varied significantly (P 0.05) with plants species. Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium and Sodium were the most dominant macro nutrients of the food plants in that decreasing order of magnitudes. The micro nutrients such as Iron, Manganese, Copper, and Zinc also show a remarkable trend with Iron and Manganese having higher concentration than Zinc, Phosphorus and Copper.