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Primates
Id code: amd073Cercopithecidae
Cercopithecus petaurista
(Schreber, 1774)
(Eng) Lesser spot-nosed guenon
(Fre) Pétauriste
Taxonomic notes
Two subspecies are described: C. p. petaurista to the east and C. p. buettikoferi to the west of the Cavally River (Lernould, 1988; Kingdon, 1997).
IUCN threat category
Not listed.
Available information
Literature available on the ecology of the species is limited. Habitat use in old forest and secondary growth forest was investigated by Fimbel (1994) in Tiwai, Sierra Leone. Some information on its habitat use in Bioko Island is found in Gonzalez-Kirchner (1996). Coe (1975) reports some data on the species' presence on Mount Nimba (Liberia); the author thoroughly describes the area surveyed, therefore supplying information on the species' habitat. Occurrence and coexistence with other primate species in the Tai Forest (Ivory Coast) is discussed in Galat & Galat-Luong (1985). Data on its distribution are available from Lernould (1988) and Oates (1988). The species' occurrence in Ghana is analysed in Booth (1979); most of the authors mentioned above also report on the species' ecology, particularly on the habitat in which it occurs. General information on the ecology of the species is found in Bourlière (1985), Kingdon (1997) and Stuart & Stuart (1997).
Known extent of occurrence
This species' distribution map was obtained from Lernould (1988), a quite reliable and recent source of West African primate information. The first map was then cut along the Nigeria-Benin border, according to Oates (1996) who regards this monkey as absent from Benin. Thus, the lesser spot-nosed guenon's range stretches from Togo to Gambia, along the Upper Guinea forest block. Its occurrence in Senegal is not confirmed and this part has been marked as "possible" (Oates, 1996) (Fig. 2.3.18.a).
Categorical-discrete (CD) distribution model
This is a rain forest species, well adapted both to forest and forest edges. It is particularly associated to riverine forest (Lernould, 1988; Oates, 1988; Gonzalez-Kirchner, 1996; Booth, 1979; Kingdon, 1997).
Based on these environmental preferences, the following scores were assigned (Fig. 2.3.18.b) (Tab. 2.3.18.a):
|
Score (*) |
|
|
1 |
Forests and forest/savanna mosaics. |
|
2 |
Other forest mosaics. |
|
3 |
Savannas and croplands. |
|
(*) Scores increased for vegetation types occurring inside a 1-km buffer around permanent water. |
|
|
suitable |
moderately suitable |
unsuitable |
Total |
|||||
|
OCCURRENCE |
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
|
certain |
418 999 |
69 |
63 684 |
11 |
88 962 |
15 |
571 645 |
95 |
|
possible |
3 182 |
1 |
7 350 |
1 |
22 573 |
4 |
33 105 |
5 |
|
Total |
422 181 |
70 |
71 034 |
12 |
111 535 |
18 |
604 750 |
100 |
Tab 2.3.18.a: Cumulative size (km2) of areas pertaining to each environmental suitability class within the Extent of Occurrence.
|
Number Patches (NP) |
Mean Patch Size (MPS) km2 |
Patch Size SD (PSSD) km2 |
Largest Patch Index (LPI) % |
Mean Shape Index (MSI) |
Area-Weighted Mean Shape Index (AWMSI) |
|
|
suitable |
134 |
3 160 |
34 838 |
81.83 |
1.32 |
16.89 |
|
moderately suitable |
853 |
84 |
320 |
1.73 |
1.24 |
2.53 |
|
Total AO |
149 |
3 320 |
38 417 |
95.11 |
1.46 |
12.03 |
Tab 2.3.18.b: Area of Occupancy fragmentation indexes.
Probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model
The output of the probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model is shown in Fig. 2.3.18.c.
Validation
No occurrence of the species within the four sample areas.
Comments and conservation issues
Most of the known EO appears to be suitable but for the areas of "possible presence". Both models show central Ghana as an unsuitable area, while the CD model also shows the western part of the range as substantially unsuitable. The fragmentation indexes also show a limited number of patches (LPI = 95.11%). From the AWMSI, it would seem that these patches have a relatively complex shape, possibly an indication of the high interspersion with the unsuitable areas. The species is hardly protected by the existing protected areas as these include only 3% of the total AO.
|
OCCURRENCE |
SUITABILITY CLASS |
inside |
outside |
Total |
|
certain |
suitable |
1.99 |
67.29 |
69.28 |
|
moderately suitable |
0.41 |
10.12 |
10.53 |
|
|
unsuitable |
0.82 |
13.89 |
14.71 |
|
|
possible |
suitable |
0 |
0.52 |
0.53 |
|
moderately suitable |
0 |
1.21 |
1.22 |
|
|
unsuitable |
0.03 |
3.70 |
3.73 |
|
|
Total |
3.26 |
96.74 |
100 |
Tab 2.3.18.c: Percent of environmental suitability classes within EO (as obtained from the categorical-discrete distribution model) inside and outside the protected areas.
References
Booth A.H. (1979). The distribution of primates in the Gold Coast. In: Sussman R.W. (Ed.). Primate Ecology. Problem-oriented field studies. Wiley, Chichester & New York: chap. 7: 139-154.
Bourlière F. (1985). Primate communities: their structure and role in tropical ecosystems. Int J. Primatol.: 6, 1-26.
Coe M.J. (1975). Mammalian ecological studies on Mount Nimba, Liberia. Mammalia: 39, 523-581.
Fimbel C. (1994). The relative use of abandoned farm clearings and old forest habitats by primates and a forest antelope at Tiwai, Sierra Leone, West Africa. Biological Conservation: 70, 277-286.
Galat G., Galat-Luong A. (1985). La communauté de Primates diurnes de la foret de Tai, Côte d'Ivoire. Revue de Ecologie (La Terre et la Vie): 40, 7-32.
Gonzalez-Kirchner J.P. (1996). Notes on habitat use by the Russet-eared guenon (Cercopithecus erythrotis Waterhouse 1838) on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. Tropical Zoology: 9, 297-304.
Kingdon J. (1997). The Kingdon field guide to African Mammals. Academic Press, London and New York: Natural World.
Lernould J. (1988). Classification and geographical distribution of guenons: a review. In: Gautier-Hion A., Bourlière F., Gautier J., Kingdon J. (Eds). A Primate Radiation: Evolutionary Biology of the African Guenons. Cambridge University Press, New York: pp 54-78.
Oates J.F. (1988). The distribution of Cercopithecus monkeys in West African forests. In: Gautier-Hion A., Bourlière F., Gautier J., Kingdon J. (Eds). A Primate Radiation: Evolutionary Biology of the African Guenons. Cambridge University Press, New York: pp 79-103.
Oates J.F. (1996). African Primates Status Survey and Conservation Action plan. IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group.
Stuart C., Stuart T. (1997). Field guide to the larger mammals of Africa. Struik Publishers.