Published by Associazione Teriologica Italiana Volume 2 (31): 117–122, 2020 Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy Available online at: http://www.italian-journal-of-mammalogy.it doi:10.4404/hystrix–00342-2020 Research Article Estimates of Demidoff’s galago (Galagoides demidovii) density and abundance in a changing landscape in the Oban hills, Nigeria James Kehinde Omifolaji1,2,∗, Emmanuel Tersea Ikyaagba3, Abideen Abiodun Alarape4, Victor Abiodun Ojo5, Mala Modu5, Lewiska Funmilayo Lateef4, Muhammed Adewole Adeyemi6, Shahid Ahmad1, Xiaofeng Luan1 1School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 830001, China 2Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Federal University, Dutse, Nigeria 3Department of Social and Environmental Forestry, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria 4Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria 5Department of Forestry and Wildlife, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria 6Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria Keywords: Abstract density land use Galagos are one of the understudied family of nocturnal primates which inhabit much of Sub- habitats Saharan Africa, some of which are potentially at risk of habitat loss due to deforestation. The galago rainforests of West Africa are home to six species of Lorisoidea; however, this habitat is under threat nocturnal primates from an increasing human population and anthropogenic activities land conversion for agriculture, Oban sector amongst other pressures. This study assessed the distribution of Demidoffs galago under different land use pattern in Oban sector of Cross River National Park. Line transect methods were used Article history: to estimate the density of Demidoffs galago in a human-influenced forest and an otherwise similar Received: 29/05/2020 and relatively undisturbed forest. Galagos are mostly observed in canopy forest, secondary forest Accepted: 09/10/2020 and farm fallow with a total number of 27, 21, and 14 sightings respectively after survey efforts of 72 km. The encounter rates for the three habitats were 0.56 km−1, 0.35 km−1 and 0.23 km−1 for close canopy forest, secondary forest and farm fallow respectively. Close canopy forest habitat Acknowledgements 2 We thank the management and sta of Nigeria National Park Service, has the highest estimated density of about 0.24 km . The estimated density of secondary forest Cross River National Park, for granting us permssion to carry out this habitat is approximately 0.23 km2. The proportion of total sighting of the species across the habitats study. Also, we appreciate the Conservator Park, Research unit and varied from 43.55% in the close canopy forest habitat, 33.87% in secondary forest habitat and ranger of Oban sector (CRNP) for support and logistics. Thanks to Ideawild for field equipment support. 22.58% in the farm-fallow habitat. The result indicates that the Demidoffs galagos density was significantly lower in farm fallow habitats (n=14, df=2, F=2.26, p=0.009) compared to close canopy forest (n=27, df=2, F=7.616 p=0.999). Higher population density and encounter rate observed in the close-canopy forest may be due to less habitat disturbance and less susceptible to population decline. It is, however, necessary to maintain the environment in its present state and to continue population monitoring over an extended period. Introduction Habitats fragmentation and degradation due to anthropogenic activ- ities are major threats of global diversity declines (Estrada adnCoates- Galagos (Galagidae) are a family of nocturnal primates consisting of Estrada, 1996; Estrada and Fleming, 2012; Estrada et al., 2017). Under- six species which belong to the suborder Lorisoidea and are more com- standing interspecific variation in species responses to human distur- monly known as “bushbabies” (Jewell and Oates, 1969; Pimley, 2003, bances is important to enable effective conservation decision-making 2009). They are native to Sub-Saharan Africa and can be found in for- such as by informing habitat protection and restoration targets to main- est and thickets across the continent. Demidoff’s galago is widely dis- tain critical ecological phenomena like species-area thresholds (Estrada tributed from Senegal to the Central African Forest. Most species are et al., 2017; Fryxell et al., 2020; Game et al., 2013; Husseini et al., 2019; almost completely arboreal, though may come to the ground briefly Maron et al., 2012). Protected areas are frequently viewed as safe- when foraging. Galagos sleep during the day in nests and hollows guarding the ecological communities, including primates (Estrada et within trees (Grubb et al., 2003). There is variation in the dietary com- al., 2017). However, particularly regarding developing nations, where position of different species, although common components include funds and national strategies for conservation and protected areas are tree gum, insects and fruit. Some species specialize more than others low, protected are frequently fail to achieve desire objectives ade- in certain areas, and there is often a high level of seasonal variation quately. Consider the high rate of deforestation of tropical ecosystem depending on availability (Gottschalk et al., 2013; Pauls et al., 2013). globally, understanding the combined conservation role of protected Large and small Galagos often inhabit the same areas due to a differen- and unprotected forests is critical for species survival and allocation of tiation in a niche within the same habitat (Bearder et al., 1995; Grubb resources (Buechley et al., 2015; Cavada et al., 2019). Anthropogenic et al., 2003). The differences in size often correspond to differences in pressure most often impacts the loss and fragmentation from legal and nesting sites, diet, behaviour, and predation interactions (Depalma et illegal resources extraction (logging, mining and fossil fuel extraction), al., 2013; Harcourt and Nash, 1986). agriculture and infrastructure development. Assessment of abundance and vulnerability of populations should ideally account for patterns of human disturbance and habitat factors in space and how they affect pop- ∗Corresponding author Email address: [email protected] (James Kehinde Omifolaji ) Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy ISSN 1825-5272 10th October 2020 ©cbe2020 Associazione Teriologica Italiana doi:10.4404/hystrix–00342-2020 Hystrix, It. J. Mamm. (2020) 2(31): 117–122 ulations at multiple scales (Estrada adnCoates-Estrada, 1996; Estrada et al., 2017; Ruiz-Lopez et al., 2016). Long-term deforestation has resulted in fragmentation of 58% sub- tropical and 46% of tropical forests (Farris et al., 2014; Haddad et al., 2015), forcing primates to live in isolated forest patches, including pro- tected areas. This has led to decreasing numbers, population restruc- turing, and the loss of genetic diversity in many primates like pied tamarinds, northern muriquis, cross river gorillas, Bornean orangutans (Bergl et al., 2008; Chaves et al., 2011; Farias et al., 2015; Meijaard et al., 2011; Sharma et al., 2012). Edge effects predominate in many areas of disturbed forests, exacerbating habitat degradation. Human- induced forest fires devastate vast areas of forest ecosystem in primates range regions yearly, resulting in increased tree mortality and loss of canopy forest (Gouveia et al., 2014; Haddad et al., 2015; Silveira et al., 2016). Although variations in species-specific traits mediate the im- pacts of habitats loss, fragmentation, and degradation upon primates, usually leads to population decline. Some primates are more behav- iorally and ecologically resilient than others when faced with habitats loss, fragmentation, and degradation. However, with increasing pres- sure being placed on primates in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions there have been studies conducted to determine how they respond to human-altered environments (Butynski and De Jong,, 2014; Estrada adnCoates-Estrada, 1996; Estrada et al., 2017; Estrada and Fleming, 2012; Laurance et al., 2012, 2014; Quach et al., 2013), including within agroecosystems, which have been proposed as a viable conservation strategy for some species. However, how these methods affect cryp- tic nocturnal primates such as bushbabies is currently limited, and they have frequently been overlooked in several studies. Conservation and management of a species rely heavily on a good understanding of the variability in population density and habitat use (Lehman et al., 2006; Sawyer et al., 2017). Knowledge of little study animal or nocturnally active species is often limited; therefore, such Figure 1. Map of Oban division, Cross River National Park is showing the study locations. species are particular conservation and management concerns (For- banka, 2018a; Off et al., 2008; Pimley, 2009). Here, we aim to provide information on the distribution and density estimate across the habitat Data Collection covers in a tropical ecosystem under the influence anthropogenic activ- ities. Ecological information obtaining during this study will help to Between October 2012 and March 2013; Demidoff’s galago surveys updates the urgently needed for devising management actions for the were conducted in the Oban Sector of Cross River National Park, conservation of nocturnal primates (Demidoff’s Galago) in Nigeria. Nigeria. The vegetation and orientation of the Oban division were stratified into three land-use types based on anthropogenic activity around the park for this study. The three broad categories were: