Journal of Ecology and Natural Resources ISSN: 2578-4994 MEDWIN PUBLISHERS Committed to Create Value for researchers Comparing the Habitat Structure of Red Patas Monkey (Erythrocebus patas) in Marguba and Sepeteri Ranges of Old Oyo National Park, Southwest Nigeria Orimaye JO* Ekiti State University, Nigeria Research Article Volume 4 Issue 3 March 23, 2020 *Corresponding author: Orimaye JO, Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Received Date: Management, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, Tel: 2348038647427; Email: jacob. Published Date: May 13, 2020 [email protected] DOI: 10.23880/jenr-16000200 Abstract habitat due to human activity which has greatly affected their survival in their natural environment. This study was done to The major problem facing wildlife conservation in Nigeria is the increase rate of loss or modification to the structure of their compare the habitat structure of Red Patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) in Marguba and Sepeteri Ranges of Old Oyo National Park (OONP), Southwest Nigeria using Total Enumeration Count. Data obtained were analyzed using the Computer PAST program for all indices required. A total of one hundred and one (101) tree species belonging to 32 families were enumerated the study areas with eighty-nine (89) species in 31 families recorded in the Sepeteri range and 72 species in 26 families in the Marguba range and Vitex doniana was the most commonly encountered tree species in both ranges. Furthermore, 70 (69.31%) tree species were common to the two sites. Students’ t-test indicates that there is no significant difference (p > 0.05) 44.26 for the Marguba range. The species dominance was given as 0.02 and 0.03 for Sepeteri and Marguba ranges respectively in the species composition of the two sites. The effective number of species of 60.95 was computed for the Sepeteri range and species similarity between the two ranges showed a value of 0.70. Thirty-two (32) families of tree species were recorded in while the species evenness was 0.68 for Sepeteri and 0.61 for Marguba range. However, the Sorenson’s coefficient (SC) of plant the two ranges with 31 and 26 families in Sepeteri and Marguba ranges respectively. Kolmogorov Simnrrov's test showed Marguba ranges are similar in species composition, family diversity and structural arrangement and indiscriminate felling of no significant difference (P≥>0.05) in equal distribution of families in the two sites. The results showed that Sepeteri and woody trees for charcoal and firewood production should be proscribed. Keywords: Red Patas Monkey; Sepeteri Range; Marguba Range; Vitex Doniana Effective Number of Species Introduction across the countries where primate habitat is abundant, Primate habitats are constantly going through structural improvingcontext of ourrapid knowledge human-induced about the landscape ability of thesemodification animals agricultural activities which causes secondary forests to and dynamic modifications Birdsey [1] which can affect forest increaseto adapt atis thecrucial expense [4]. ofThe primary demand forests for theleading virgin to structuralforest for arrangement and species abundance [2]. As a result, most and dynamic changes affects the species ecosystem, forest primate species are forced to cope with significant shifts in ecological situations and associated food sources [3]. In this Comparing the Habitat Structure of Red Patas Monkey (Erythrocebus patas) in Marguba and Sepeteri J Ecol & Nat Resour Ranges of Old Oyo National Park, Southwest Nigeria 2 Journal of Ecology and Natural Resources management of the habitat of red Patas monkey in OONP. compositionPatas habitat and species experiences abundance seasonality [2]. change between collect information that will lead to the efficient and effective dry and wet seasons and behaviour of the animal is adjusted Study Area between these conditions concerning their proximity along with the usage of available water and also, deforestation and Old Oyo National Park (Figure 1) is one of the eight drought are factors that extend the habitat of Patas monkeys. National Parks in Nigeria initially created by Decree Number Although Patas Monkey is listed by the IUCN as a species 36 of 1991 consisting of the amalgamation of the Upper Ogun in the group of the Least Concern, the population is now Forest Reserve and Oyo Ile forest reserve. It is a historical- becoming smaller in its known range due to over-exploitation cultural park because it covers the area that used to be the that the global population of the animal is not particularly It is located approximately between latitudes 80 13’ and 90 large,of its increasednatural habitat conservation by man to [5]. the In species the light needs of tothe occur fact hub of the Old Oyo Empire of the 17th and 18th centuries [6]. through the proper management of its habitat to prevent the population of the animal from further declining any further. 04’ North and longitude 30 53’ and 4024’ East covering a total Politically,land area of it 2,512lies in km.Oyo MostState ofin thethe protectedSouthwest area of Nigeria is covered and Marguba and Sepeteri ranges are part of the ranges in bordersby plain Kwaralowlands State between in the Northeast. 330 – 508 It m is above surrounded sea level by [7].ten Old Oyo National Park that are known to harbour red Patas monkeys as one of the dominant animal species in the past. Nevertheless, the population is constantly declining year in bimodal(10) Local annual Government rainfall Areas pattern in Oyo is State experienced [7]. Annual between rainfall year out due to human activities within the park (Goodwin Aprilfluctuates and betweenJuly and 1600from Septemberand 2000 ml.to October,Orimaye separated[8] and a pers com). Yet, a minimum of attention has been taken through checkmating the rapid deforestation activities, Sepeteri, Marguba, Oyo-ile, and Yemoso ranges forms the Old Oyoby a nationaldry season park [9]. out The of amalgamationwhich Marguba of and five Sepeteri ranges - rangeTede, inside the protected area detrimental to the utilization of were purposefully selected (due to the presence of a large thebushfire habitat and by theother animal. similar The humanstudy is influencestherefore initiated going onto population of red patas monkey there) for this research. Figure 1: Map of Old Oyo National Park showing it ranges Ogunjinmi [10]. Vegetation grading northwards into drier mixed leguminous wooded savanna with a continuous lower stratum of perennial into four broad groups including dense woodland and forest The vegetation of the OONP has been classified as outliergrasses. in The the vegetation southern wasportion further and analyzedthe Northwest and classified corner, vegetationSouthern Guineaas Forest Savanna savanna [11]. mosaic However, with wooded more savannaintense mixed open savanna in the middle and Northeast portions, containingstudies by Charterthe relic [12] of classifies the moist the Southernsemi-deciduous portion forest, of the Outcrop vegetation in the hilly and rocky areas and Riparian Orimaye JO. Comparing the Habitat Structure of Red Patas Monkey (Erythrocebus patas) in Copyright© Orimaye JO. Marguba and Sepeteri Ranges of Old Oyo National Park, Southwest Nigeria. J Ecol & Nat Resour 2020, 4(3): 000200. 3 Journal of Ecology and Natural Resources grassland and fringing woodland and forest vary along major Vitex doniana (Verbenaceae) with 23 stands followed by Pterocarpus santalinoides (Fabaceae) and Bombax costatum working on the management plan of the park described and Anogeissus recognizesrivers and fourstreams broad dominated eco-zones [13].to include The teamforest ofand experts dense leiocarpus of Combretaceae family with 12 individuals. savanna mosaic woodland of the park around Sepeteri axis Furthermore,(Bombaceae) 72with species 13 tree in 26 species families each were andrecorded in the designated as site A, dense and open savanna woodland Marguba range with Vitex doniana (Verbenaceae) being the mosaic in the central portion of the park, Dense savanna most encountered plant species (33 individuals), followed woodland, north of Igbeti-Kishi axis zone C and Open savanna by Berlinia (Caesalpinioideae) and Anogeissus leicocarpus (Combretaceae) with 23 and 19 tree species respectively.grandiflora Some of the commonly encountered plant woodland,Methods North-east of Data of Collection the park (Oyo-Ile sector) [7]. species in the two ranges include Afzelia africana, Albizia adianthifolia, Albizia malocophylla, Alchornea cordifolia, Four sample sites for habitat structure surveys were Allophylus africanus, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Cola cordifolia, located along already laid transect line around where the Cola laurifolia, Combretum fragrans, Cordia sinensis, Crossoptesys febrifuga, Cussonia arborea, Daniellia oliveri, rise to 80 sample sites across the 2 ranges in the park. 20 and Detarium microcarpum, etc. A total of 70 tree species ofanimals these weresample sighted sites (10and sample followed sites at 500 in each m intervals of the ranges) giving representing 69.31 % were common to the two sites. Students’ t-test indicates that the species composition of were used for habitat analysis [14]. Total Enumeration each other. In all, 362 stands of woody tree species were surveyed.Count (TEC) The of followinga 25 x 25 data m area were adjacent collected to thewithin transect each enumeratedthe two sites in was Sepeteri not significantly range while different Marguba (p range > 0.05) recorded from line Ogunjemite [15] in each of the 20 sample sites were sampling quadrants. They include: 333 stands while Vitex doniana was the most commonly i. Total enumeration of all trees above 1 m height and basal encountered woody species both in ranges. ii. Total enumerations of all the trees species (s) and family Diversity Indices of Plant Species inarea which ≥10 theycm. belong. iii. The diameter of all the plants above 1 m in the height Table 1 shows the diversity indices of plant species in the range of Red Patas monkey in OONP. Shannon Wiener’s indices of species diversity were given as 4.11 which gives the Data≥10 cm. Analyses Data collected was analyzed with the Computer PAST forvalues the of Marguba the Effective range.