Examining activity patterns, ranging and diet of Boutourlini’s blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitis Boutourlinii) in natural forest and shade coffee system of Belete-Gera forest priority area, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Understanding activity pattern, home range and diets of primate species are fundamental for caring its behavioral ecology and vulnerability to disappearance. Boutourlini’s blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitis Boutourlinii) is vulnerable sub-species, which is endemic to south western parts of Ethiopia. Their behavior with respect to natural forest and shade coffee systems is untried. Thus, this study was aimed to examine their behavior in natural forests and shade coffee habitats. Two different monkey groups were selected for the study in Belete-Gera forest priority area. Vegetation studies were done using quadrants of 20m X 20m throughout the home range of the two groups of monkeys. Instantaneous scan sampling method was used for the activity patterns of the monkeys using binocular/telescope and location points were recorded using GPS. Boutourlini’s blue monkey of both group spent more time in feeding than moving and resting. The coffee group consumed a total of 27 plant species and natural forest group consumed 37 plant species. Both groups had shown strong preference for fruit (39.75%) and young leaves (33.65%). The average day ranges of the vulnerable blue monkey in shade coffee system was 697.50m and the natural forest group was 711.30m. Shade coffee group had larger ranging area (62ha) than natural forest group (34ha). The shade coffee group extremely prefer buffer zone area left in between shade coffee to perform much of their daily activities and spent much time in this area. Whereas forest groups equally use all parts of their home ranges. Thus, shade coffee systems should have to be supported with enormous amount of buffer zones to benefit the survival of the species.