Structure of primate group and their diet in the sacred forest of Kikele in Benin

Abstract

This study aimed at accessing the population size and structure of primates and inventorying plants and organs on which they feed in the sacred forest of Kikélé in the district of Bassila in northern Benin. Diurnal and nocturnal primates were counted by the complete count method. Surveys of 60 resource persons and field observations during 90 days were carried out to inventory the plants and organs consumed by primates. Results showed that the sacred forest of Kikele shelters three species of primates including a nocturnal species Galago senegalensis (16 individuals) and two diurnal species, Cercopithecus mona (2 individuals) and Colobus vellerosus (28 individuals). In total, 35 plant species have been inventoried as food resources for C. vellerosus, 39 plant species for C. mona and 12 plant species for G. senegalensis. G. senegalensis consumed only mature fruits, while the two other species consumed mainly fruits and leaves. Leguminosae and meso-phanerophytes were the most represented in the diet. Primates show flexibility in their diet linked to the phenology of the plants.

Keywords: Primates, size, feeding, Kikele, Benin