Mangabey dispersal and conservation in Kibale National Park, Uganda

William Olupot, Purdue University

Abstract

Dispersal is important for species persistence. However, little is known about dispersal in rainforest primates, particularly in cercopithecines. This study was conducted with the primary aim of documenting the frequency of dispersal events, fates and habitat preference of dispersers, and factors implicated in the movement of mangabey (Lophocebus albigena) males between social groups. Between July 1996 and December 1998, I captured, marked, and studied the movements of males in more than six social groups inhabiting the Kanyawara study area of Kibale National Park, Uganda. The social organization of mangabeys was rather fluid; males often moved far (>200 m) from any group, and several males moved between groups over a relatively short period of time. Male emigration did not appear to be influenced by aggression; however, as males tended to move from groups with fewer estrous females to groups with more. Males emigrated singly, usually into adjacent groups, and spent variable periods (1 to 276 days) in transit. Lone males showed no different habitat preferences; males outside social groups used different habitat types with the same frequency as males within groups. Dispersing lone males did not appear to suffer higher foraging costs than non-dispersing males, since dispersers and non-dispersers traveled at the same rates and spent similar proportions of time feeding and foraging. Because a large number (41) of males was captured, this darting program permitted assessment of the performance of Telazol ® as an anesthetic for mangabeys, relative risk of darting in different habitats, the feasibility of radiotracking intensively (by homing) under rainforest conditions, as well as testing hypotheses about possible relationships between body size in mangabeys and habitat type. There were no adverse side effects associated with use of Telazol®; it was riskier capturing mangabeys in tall, primary forest than in regenerating or swamp forest; and standard radiotracking equipment could be used on daily basis with few breakdowns. Comparisons of measurements of adult males captured from logged and unlogged forest suggest that unlogged forest males weighed significantly more than males from logged forest. This underlines the importance of primary forest in the conservation of mangabeys.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Waser, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Ecology|Zoology|Forestry

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