AFRICAN PRIMATES the Journal of the Africa Section of the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group
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Volume 12 2017 ISSN 1093-8966 AFRICAN PRIMATES The Journal of the Africa Section of the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group Editor-in-Chief: Janette Wallis PSG Chairman: Russell A. Mittermeier PSG Deputy Chairs: Anthony B. Rylands and Christoph Schwitzer Red List Authority Coordinators: Sanjay Molur, Christoph Schwitzer, and Liz Williamson African Primates The Journal of the Africa Section of the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group ISSN 1093-8966 African Primates Editorial Board IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group Janette Wallis – Editor-in-Chief Chairman: Russell A. Mittermeier University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK USA Deputy Chairs: Anthony B. Rylands and Christoph Schwitzer Simon Bearder Vice Chair, Section on Great Apes: Liz Macfie Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK Deputy Vice Chair, Section on Great Apes: Serge Wich Vice Chair, Section on Small Apes: Benjamin M. Rawson R. Patrick Boundja Wildlife Conservation Society, Congo; Univ of Mass, USA Regional Vice-Chairs – Neotropics Colin A. Chapman Mesoamerica: Liliana Cortés-Ortiz McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Andean Countries: Erwin Palacios, Eckhard W. Heymann, Fanny M. Cornejo, Stella de la Torre, and Diana C. Guzmán Edem A. Eniang Brazil and the Guianas: M. Cecília M. Kierulff, Fabiano Rodrigues Biodiversity Preservation Center, Calabar, Nigeria de Melo, Maurício Talebi, and Leandro Jerusalinsky Colin Groves Australian National University, Canberra, Australia Regional Vice Chairs – Africa Rachel Ashegbofe Ikemeh, Inza Koné, David Osei, and Janette John Hart Wallis Foundation Lukuru, Kinshasa, DRC Michael A. Huffman Regional Vice Chairs – Madagascar Kyoto University, Inuyama, Japan Christoph Schwitzer, Jonah Ratsimbazafy, and Steig Johnson Lynne A. Isbell Regional Vice Chairs – Asia University of California, Davis, CA USA China: Baoguo Li Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka South-east Asia/Indochina: Jatna Supriatna, Christian Roos, Conservation through Public Health, Kampala, Uganda Benjamin M. Rawson, Ramesh Boonratana, Le Khac Quyet, and Duc Hoang Minh Shadrack Kamenya South Asia: Sanjay Molur and Dilip Chetry Jane Goodall Institute-Tanzania, Kigoma, Tanzania Inza Koné Red List Authority Coordinators Université Félix Houphouet Boigny, Abidjan, and Centre Sanjay Molur, Christoph Schwitzer, and Liz Williamson Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire Joanna E. Lambert This issue of African Primates was produced with the University of Colorado, Boulder, CO USA assistance of a grant from the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation, through Conservation International’s Primate Judith Masters Action Fund. University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa William Olupot Nature and Livelihoods, Kampala, Uganda Shirley C. Strum University of California, San Diego, CA USA Paul T. Telfer Wildlife Conservation Society, Brazzaville, Congo Tharcisse Ukizintambara Stony Brook University, Pretoria, South Africa Edward Wiafe Presbyterian University College, Akuapem, Ghana Dietmar Zinner German Primate Center, Göttingen, Germany Layout, design, and copy-editing: Janette Wallis PSG logo: Stephen D. Nash Front Cover: Adult male red-bellied guenon (Cercopithecus erythrogaster erythrogaster) at Drabo Monkey Sanctuary, Benin. Photo by Maya MT Goodwin. Printed by: University of Oklahoma Printing Services African Primates online: All volumes of African Primates are available online at www.primate-sg.org/african_primates African Primates 12: 1-8 (2017)/ 1 Species Density of Galago moholi at Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, South Africa Ian S. Ray1,2,3, Brandi T. Wren2,4, and Evelyn J. Bowers1 1Department of Anthropology, Ball State University, Muncie, IN USA; 2Applied Behavioural Ecology and Ecosystem Research Unit, University of South Africa; 3Department of Social Sciences, Community College of Aurora, Aurora, Colorado USA;4Department of Anthropology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA Abstract: Galagos are a poorly studied group of nocturnal primates endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in regard to distribution in southern Africa. We conducted a population survey of Galago moholi along the road system of Loskop Dam Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga, South Africa, during the winter months of June and July, 2011. Results from 151 km of transects that were driven over 23 survey hours indicate that the population density of G. moholi is several times lower than previously reported in similar areas. We estimate the population density at Loskop Dam to be between 1.4 and 5.1 animals/km2, suggesting a population estimate for the entire reserve of 296-1029 animals. This number is substantially lower than the expected density of 95 animals/km2 and total population of 20,000 animals based on previously published density estimates. Low population density may be due to an unknown environmental condition that, in addition, excludes other Galago species from the reserve. Key words: Galago, population density, strepsirrhine, bushbaby INTRODUCTION Bushbabies, or galagos, are small nocturnal Galago moholi averages 158 g and 438 mm in primates endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. Many total length, with a 288 mm tail and a 150 mm head species of galago inhabit overlapping geographical and body (Nash et al. 1989). Previous reports have ranges, though most have differing habitat listed primary food sources of G. moholi to consist preferences when found sympatrically (Nash et al. exclusively of tree gums and small arthropods 1989; Pozzi 2016). The only member of the genus (Bearder & Martin 1980; Harcourt 1986), though Galago endemic to this study’s research site in recent findings have noted the inclusion of plant Mpumalanga, South Africa, is the southern lesser parts in the diet (Scheun et al. 2014; Ray et al. 2016). bushbaby (Galago moholi A. Smith 1836). Based No observations of heterothermy during the winter on current published distribution data (Bearder months of June and July, when insects are scarce, et al. 2008), the thick-tailed bushbaby (Otolemur have been recorded in natural settings (Mzilikazi et crassicaudatus É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire 1812) is al. 2006; Nowack et al. 2010, 2013). not found within this study’s locality, although Bearder & Doyle (1974) reported population greater galagos have been observed nearby. There densities of G. moholi that ranged from a low is a significant lack of published field studies on of 95 animals/km2 in escarpment riparian bush galago behavior and ecology, particularly recent and scrub habitat to a high of 500 animals/km2 in studies. This makes it difficult to establish a baseline Vachellia karoo (previously Acacia karoo) thickets. understanding of galago ecology and distribution in That research, however, commenced in 1968 and is southern Africa. now approaching 50 years old. It is likely that those Correspondence to: Ian S. Ray, Department of Social Sciencs, Community College of Aurora, 16000 East CentreTech Parkway, Aurora, Colorado 80011 USA; Email: [email protected]. 2 / Ray et al. numbers are no longer representative due to human 2007). Daily temperatures within the reserve ranged encroachment, habitat changes, anthropogenic from 7°C to 21°C during the study period, and climate change, and changes in land-use patterns from 7°C to 29°C during 2011 (National Center across southern Africa (Hoffman & Ashwell 2001; for Environmental Information 2016). Monthly Thomas et al. 2004; McCusker & Carr 2006). precipitation in 2011 ranged from 0 cm (July) to Further, those estimates vary greatly from 95-500 19 cm (January), with no rainfall occurring during animals/km2 and later studies using radio tracking the study period. The reserve is managed by the found significantly lower densities of 31 animals/ Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, and the km2 (Bearder 1987). University of South Africa’s Applied Behavioural The goal of this study was to survey the Ecology and Ecosystem Research Unit maintains population of G. moholi at Loskop Dam Nature a research camp within its boundaries. To our Reserve in South Africa to assess its abundance and knowledge, no other research has been conducted distribution. Specifically, our objectives were to: 1) on galagos in LDNR. record sightings of G. moholi; and 2) calculate an estimated population density of G. moholi at the Survey Methods study site. Transects were driven throughout LDNR’s tourist road system between the hours of 1800 and 2200 on MATERIALS AND METHODS 12 nights between June 29 and July 12, 2011 (winter Research Site at the study site). We surveyed a total of 151 km over This project was conducted between June and 23 hours. Transects were driven, not walked, due to July, 2011 at Loskop Dam Nature Reserve (LDNR). safety concerns expressed by reserve management LDNR is located in northern Mpumalanga province, owing to the presence of predators (e.g., leopard) South Africa, with a portion of the reserve extending and large dangerous game (e.g., rhinoceros and into Limpopo province (25°259’ S, 29°189’ E). The buffalo). Transects were selected based on major reserve measures 22,000 ha in size including the road landmarks and driven for approximately three reservoir created by Loskop Dam (Ferrar & Lotter hours per night (Figure 1). Fifteen minute breaks Figure 1. Map of driven transects and sightings in Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa Species Density of Galago moholi in Loskop Dam Nature Reserve / 3 were taken after each transect to avoid observer by selecting cutoff distances, as it was unlikely that fatigue. Transects were between 2.4 km and 7.5 km. all individuals were sighted beyond this distance. All roads