The Effect of Habitat on Density, Feeding Behaviour and Activity of Heller’s Vervet Monkey (<i>Chlorocebus pygerythrus arenarius</i>): A Case Study in Arba Minch Forest, Ethiopia

Israel Petros Menbere; Mundanthra Balakrishnan

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160103.12

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The Effect of Habitat on Density, Feeding Behaviour and Activity of Heller’s Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus arenarius): A Case Study in Arba Minch Forest, Ethiopia

Israel Petros Menbere, Mundanthra Balakrishnan

Published in International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (Volume 1, Issue 3)

Received: 23 May 2016 Accepted: 17 June 2016 Published: 3 August 2016

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Abstract

Heller’s vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus arenarius) is one of the African savannah monkeys found in East Africa including Ethiopia. This study was carried out from September 2012 to April 2013 to provide data on the effect of habitat on density, feeding and activity of the Heller’s vervet monkey in Nech Sar National Park and its adjacent areas, in Ethiopia. The study area constituted underground water forest, riverine forest, savannah bushland, bush with Eucalyptus plantation and tree dominated bushland. Five line transects of 3-4 km were made in all habitats to estimate the population density of Heller’s vervet monkey. Five selected troops were also followed using focal animal sampling to study the activity patterns and feeding behaviour. The highest population density of Heller’s vervet monkey was recorded in underground water forest and riverine forest habitats. The overall diet composition of Heller’s vervet monkey was dominated by leaves, which accounted for 37.87%. Foraging on bark, fruit and flowers constituted 21.19%, 19.56% and 13.90%, respectively. They also fed on shoots (4.70%) and unknown food items (2.78%). The activity in different troops showed significant variations in resting behaviour, whereas active behaviours did not show significant variations between the troops.

Published in	International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (Volume 1, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160103.12
Page(s)	71-78
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2016. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Behaviour, Diet, Ecology, Effect, Heller’s Vervets, Nech Sar National Park

References

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Israel Petros Menbere, Mundanthra Balakrishnan. (2016). The Effect of Habitat on Density, Feeding Behaviour and Activity of Heller’s Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus arenarius): A Case Study in Arba Minch Forest, Ethiopia. International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, 1(3), 71-78. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160103.12

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Israel Petros Menbere; Mundanthra Balakrishnan. The Effect of Habitat on Density, Feeding Behaviour and Activity of Heller’s Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus arenarius): A Case Study in Arba Minch Forest, Ethiopia. Int. J. Nat. Resour. Ecol. Manag. 2016, 1(3), 71-78. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160103.12

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AMA Style

Israel Petros Menbere, Mundanthra Balakrishnan. The Effect of Habitat on Density, Feeding Behaviour and Activity of Heller’s Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus arenarius): A Case Study in Arba Minch Forest, Ethiopia. Int J Nat Resour Ecol Manag. 2016;1(3):71-78. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160103.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160103.12,
  author = {Israel Petros Menbere and Mundanthra Balakrishnan},
  title = {The Effect of Habitat on Density, Feeding Behaviour and Activity of Heller’s Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus arenarius): A Case Study in Arba Minch Forest, Ethiopia},
  journal = {International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management},
  volume = {1},
  number = {3},
  pages = {71-78},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160103.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160103.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnrem.20160103.12},
  abstract = {Heller’s vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus arenarius) is one of the African savannah monkeys found in East Africa including Ethiopia. This study was carried out from September 2012 to April 2013 to provide data on the effect of habitat on density, feeding and activity of the Heller’s vervet monkey in Nech Sar National Park and its adjacent areas, in Ethiopia. The study area constituted underground water forest, riverine forest, savannah bushland, bush with Eucalyptus plantation and tree dominated bushland. Five line transects of 3-4 km were made in all habitats to estimate the population density of Heller’s vervet monkey. Five selected troops were also followed using focal animal sampling to study the activity patterns and feeding behaviour. The highest population density of Heller’s vervet monkey was recorded in underground water forest and riverine forest habitats. The overall diet composition of Heller’s vervet monkey was dominated by leaves, which accounted for 37.87%. Foraging on bark, fruit and flowers constituted 21.19%, 19.56% and 13.90%, respectively. They also fed on shoots (4.70%) and unknown food items (2.78%). The activity in different troops showed significant variations in resting behaviour, whereas active behaviours did not show significant variations between the troops.},
 year = {2016}
}

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T1  - The Effect of Habitat on Density, Feeding Behaviour and Activity of Heller’s Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus arenarius): A Case Study in Arba Minch Forest, Ethiopia
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AB  - Heller’s vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus arenarius) is one of the African savannah monkeys found in East Africa including Ethiopia. This study was carried out from September 2012 to April 2013 to provide data on the effect of habitat on density, feeding and activity of the Heller’s vervet monkey in Nech Sar National Park and its adjacent areas, in Ethiopia. The study area constituted underground water forest, riverine forest, savannah bushland, bush with Eucalyptus plantation and tree dominated bushland. Five line transects of 3-4 km were made in all habitats to estimate the population density of Heller’s vervet monkey. Five selected troops were also followed using focal animal sampling to study the activity patterns and feeding behaviour. The highest population density of Heller’s vervet monkey was recorded in underground water forest and riverine forest habitats. The overall diet composition of Heller’s vervet monkey was dominated by leaves, which accounted for 37.87%. Foraging on bark, fruit and flowers constituted 21.19%, 19.56% and 13.90%, respectively. They also fed on shoots (4.70%) and unknown food items (2.78%). The activity in different troops showed significant variations in resting behaviour, whereas active behaviours did not show significant variations between the troops.
VL  - 1
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Author Information

Israel Petros Menbere

Department of Ecotourism and Biodiversity Conservation, School of Biodiversity and Natural Resources, Madawalabu University, Bale Robe, Ethiopia
Mundanthra Balakrishnan

Department of Zoological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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Israel Petros Menbere, Mundanthra Balakrishnan. (2016). The Effect of Habitat on Density, Feeding Behaviour and Activity of Heller’s Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus arenarius): A Case Study in Arba Minch Forest, Ethiopia. International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, 1(3), 71-78. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160103.12

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Israel Petros Menbere; Mundanthra Balakrishnan. The Effect of Habitat on Density, Feeding Behaviour and Activity of Heller’s Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus arenarius): A Case Study in Arba Minch Forest, Ethiopia. Int. J. Nat. Resour. Ecol. Manag. 2016, 1(3), 71-78. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160103.12

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AMA Style

Israel Petros Menbere, Mundanthra Balakrishnan. The Effect of Habitat on Density, Feeding Behaviour and Activity of Heller’s Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus arenarius): A Case Study in Arba Minch Forest, Ethiopia. Int J Nat Resour Ecol Manag. 2016;1(3):71-78. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160103.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160103.12,
  author = {Israel Petros Menbere and Mundanthra Balakrishnan},
  title = {The Effect of Habitat on Density, Feeding Behaviour and Activity of Heller’s Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus arenarius): A Case Study in Arba Minch Forest, Ethiopia},
  journal = {International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management},
  volume = {1},
  number = {3},
  pages = {71-78},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160103.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160103.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnrem.20160103.12},
  abstract = {Heller’s vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus arenarius) is one of the African savannah monkeys found in East Africa including Ethiopia. This study was carried out from September 2012 to April 2013 to provide data on the effect of habitat on density, feeding and activity of the Heller’s vervet monkey in Nech Sar National Park and its adjacent areas, in Ethiopia. The study area constituted underground water forest, riverine forest, savannah bushland, bush with Eucalyptus plantation and tree dominated bushland. Five line transects of 3-4 km were made in all habitats to estimate the population density of Heller’s vervet monkey. Five selected troops were also followed using focal animal sampling to study the activity patterns and feeding behaviour. The highest population density of Heller’s vervet monkey was recorded in underground water forest and riverine forest habitats. The overall diet composition of Heller’s vervet monkey was dominated by leaves, which accounted for 37.87%. Foraging on bark, fruit and flowers constituted 21.19%, 19.56% and 13.90%, respectively. They also fed on shoots (4.70%) and unknown food items (2.78%). The activity in different troops showed significant variations in resting behaviour, whereas active behaviours did not show significant variations between the troops.},
 year = {2016}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Effect of Habitat on Density, Feeding Behaviour and Activity of Heller’s Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus arenarius): A Case Study in Arba Minch Forest, Ethiopia
AU  - Israel Petros Menbere
AU  - Mundanthra Balakrishnan
Y1  - 2016/08/03
PY  - 2016
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160103.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160103.12
T2  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JF  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JO  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
SP  - 71
EP  - 78
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-3061
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160103.12
AB  - Heller’s vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus arenarius) is one of the African savannah monkeys found in East Africa including Ethiopia. This study was carried out from September 2012 to April 2013 to provide data on the effect of habitat on density, feeding and activity of the Heller’s vervet monkey in Nech Sar National Park and its adjacent areas, in Ethiopia. The study area constituted underground water forest, riverine forest, savannah bushland, bush with Eucalyptus plantation and tree dominated bushland. Five line transects of 3-4 km were made in all habitats to estimate the population density of Heller’s vervet monkey. Five selected troops were also followed using focal animal sampling to study the activity patterns and feeding behaviour. The highest population density of Heller’s vervet monkey was recorded in underground water forest and riverine forest habitats. The overall diet composition of Heller’s vervet monkey was dominated by leaves, which accounted for 37.87%. Foraging on bark, fruit and flowers constituted 21.19%, 19.56% and 13.90%, respectively. They also fed on shoots (4.70%) and unknown food items (2.78%). The activity in different troops showed significant variations in resting behaviour, whereas active behaviours did not show significant variations between the troops.
VL  - 1
IS  - 3
ER  -

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