Primates Id code: amd297Loridae Arctocebus aureus de Winton, 1902 (Eng) Golden potto or golden angwantibo (Fre) Potto de Calabar Taxonomic notes Formerly classified as a subspecies of A. calabarensis, it has been recently recognised as a fully separate species (Wilson & Reeder, 1993). IUCN threat category Lower Risk, near threatened (LR: nt). Available information The species has mainly been studied in Gabon, but some information on its ecology is available for most of its range of distribution. A description of the habitat in which this species is found is reported by several authors (Bourlière, 1985; Charles-Dominique, 1971, 1977, 1979; Eisenberg et al., 1979). Feeding habits are described in Charles-Dominique (1977, 1979). Behavioural aspects of the ecology of this species are analysed in Charles-Dominique (1971, 1977). Data on the species occurrence are available for Gabon (Blom et al., 1992), and part of Cameroon and Congo (Mitani, 1990). Data on its occurrence in Angola are reported in Feiler (1990). General information on its ecology and distribution is found in Bourlière (1985), Estes (1991), Kingdon (1997), and Stuart & Stuart (1997). Status and threats are discussed in Oates (1996). Known extent of occurrence 
The golden potto is endemic in west equatorial Africa, being found south of the Sanaga River and west and north of the Zaire/Oubangi River system in Cameroon, Rio Muni (Eq. Guinea), Congo, Gabon, former Zaire and C.A.R. (Wilson & Reeder, 1993; Oates, 1996). Its distribution map (Fig. 2.1.1.a) was obtained from Charles-Dominique (1977) and updated on the basis of the information in Kingdon (1997) to match the river network. Categorical-discrete (CD) distribution model This species lives in both primary and secondary forests, where it prefers tree-fall zones and the lower forest layers; marked seasonal areas are less frequented (Kingdon, 1997; Charles-Dominique, 1971; Blom et al., 1992). Based on these environmental preferences, the following scores were assigned (Fig. 2.1.1.b) (2.1.1.a):
Tab 2.1.1.a: Cumulative size (km2) of areas pertaining to each environmental suitability class within the Extent of Occurrence.
Tab 2.1.1.b: Area of Occupancy fragmentation indexes. Probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model The output of the probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model is shown in Fig. 2.1.1.c. Validation
Tab 2.1.1.c: Categorical-discrete (CD) distribution model validation parameters. Comments and conservation issues The known EO is classified by the CD model as mostly suitable (64%) and moderately suitable (24%). The unsuitable areas are more frequent in the southern half of the EO and in a few portions of the northern section. The Index of Accordance of 6.45%, which is one of the lowest of all species included in this databank, shows that the available information on the ecological requirements of the species are most probably not sufficient for an adequate assessment of its distribution. It should be noted however that as for most of the other Loridae, field identification has been quite difficult, reducing the overall performance of the Index of Accordance. In this case, considering also the limited dimension of the EO which increases the reliability of the PC model, the results of the latter model may give a better picture of its distribution. Based on the results of the CD, forest areas do not appear to be highly fragmented and the LPI shows that at least one single patch accounting for 68.42% of the total AO is available to the species. The same areas, however, have a very indented shape which is due to interspersion with areas of different suitability classes (AWMSI). About 5% of the total AO is included in existing protected areas, but the species is classified as Lower Risk.
Tab 2.1.1.d: Percent of environmental suitability classes within EO (as obtained from the categorical-discrete distribution model) inside and outside the protected areas. References Blom A., Alers M.P.T., Feistner A.T.C., Barnes R.F.W., Barnes K.L. (1992). Primates in Gabon - current status and distribution. Oryx: 26(4), 223-234. Bourlière F. (1985). Primate communities: their structure and role in tropical ecosystems. Int J. Primatol.: 6, 1-26. Charles-Dominique P. (1971). Eco-éthologie des prosimiens du Gabon. Biol. Gabonica: 7, 121-228. Charles-Dominique P. (1977). Ecology and Behaviour of Nocturnal Primates. Prosimians of Equatorial West Africa. Columbia University Press, New York. Charles-Dominique P. (1979). Ecology and feeding behaviour of five sympatric lorisids in Gabon. In: Sussman R.W. (Ed.). Primate Ecology. Problem-oriented field studies. Wiley, Chichester & New York: chap. 1:1-22. Eisenberg J.F., Muckenhirn N., Rudran R. (1979). The relations between ecology and social structure in primates. [reprinted from Science (1972), 176: 863-874]. In: Sussman R.W. (Ed.). Primate Ecology. Problem-oriented field studies. Wiley, Chichester & New York. chap. 23: 455-484. Estes R.D. (1991). The Behaviour Guide to African Mammals. Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, Primates. The University of California Press. Feiler A. (1990). Distribution of mammals in Angola and notes on biogeography. Vertebrates in the tropics (Peters, G & R Hutter, eds). Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn.: 221-236. Kingdon J. (1997). The Kingdon field guide to African Mammals. Academic Press, London and New York: Natural World. Mitani M. (1990). A note on the present situation of the primates fauna found from South-eastern Cameroon to Northern Congo. Primates: 31(4), 625-634. Oates J.F., 1996. African Primates Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group. IUCN Gland, Switzerland. Stuart C., Stuart T. (1997). Field guide to the larger mammals of Africa. Struik Publishers. Wilson D.E., Reeder D.M. (Eds) (1993). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||