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- Title
Decline in Population Density and Group Size of Mona Monkeys in Grenada.
- Authors
Gunst, Noëlle; Forteau, Aden M.; Philbert, Shawn; Vasey, Paul L.; Leca, Jean-Baptiste
- Abstract
Mona monkeys (Cercopithecus mona) were introduced from West-Central Africa to the Caribbean island of Grenada about 250 years ago. Little is known, however, about the recent trends in size and conservation status of this non-native primate population. We estimated the population density and abundance of mona monkeys in and around the forested areas located in central Grenada (including the Grand Etang National Park). We used repeat line transect distance sampling, a standard method for census surveys of forest-dwelling primates. The estimated group density, individual density, average mixed-sex and all-male group sizes, and total population size throughout the rain forest habitat on the island were 0.7 group/km2, 6.0 individuals/km2, 10.3 ± 3.0 individuals/mixed-sex group, 2.1 ± 0.3 individuals/all-male group, and 289 individuals, respectively. The comparison of these values with those obtained from a previous study conducted 20 years ago, in the same area and with the same method, showed a marked population decline. This decrease may be explained by the ecological devastation of Hurricane Ivan in 2004, combined with persistent over-hunting. We discuss the theoretical implications of this study for evolutionary processes and biodiversity patterns.
- Subjects
ANIMAL population density; CERCOPITHECUS; POPULATION biology; ZOOGEOGRAPHY; WILDLIFE conservation; PRIMATE populations
- Publication
Primate Conservation, 2016, Issue 30, p7
- ISSN
0898-6207
- Publication type
Article