Behavioral Ecology Of The Patas Monkey (erythrocebus Patas) And Conservation Challenges In Alatish National Park Northwest Ethiopia

The results of both qualitative and quantitative investigations on the behavioral ecology of thernpatas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) and conservation challenges at Alatish National Park arernpresented in this dissertation. The study aimed at the behavioral responses of patas monkeys torntheir seasonal lowland habitats and evaluating the taxonomic status of the patas monkeys foundrnin Ethiopia as well as the conservation threats the park faces. The field study was carried outrnfrom November 2011 to April 2013 in two wet seasons and two dry seasons. Behavioral datarnwere collected through 15 minutes scanning samples of 10 hours and 30 minutes fieldrnobservations a day, particularly on feeding, activity time budget and ranging patterns.rnMorphological features of all age groups and sexes were also noted during both wet and dryrnseasons. Seasonality in feeding behavior was tested through Schoener’s dietary niche overlaprnindex and Levins' dietary niche breadth index. Effects of seasonal changes on activity timernbudgets were statistically tested by MANOVA; ecological factors that determine activity timernbudget were statistically analyzed by MANCOVA. Daily range length and home range size werernestimated using OpenJump toolbox (MOVEAN), and statistically tested by t-test and Wilcoxonrntest. Kernel density (95%), MCP (95%), and grid cell home range estimation methods were alsornused to estimate home range sizes. Conservation threats were studied through field observationsrnand Landsat Satellite Imagery Analysis. Erythrocebus patas found in Ethiopia have somerndistinctive morphological features compared with E. p. pyrrhonotus. The adult males face is fullyrnblack without a white spot on their nose. Adult females also have a white frontal band. Foodrnitems such as gum (39%), fruits and flower buds (32.7%), Acacia pod (0.6%), crop seed (8.1%),rnherb stem pith (3.5%), corm/tuber (14.8%), and insect (1.3%) contributed to their annual dietrncomposition. Patas show dietary switching in response to seasonal changes. The diet similarityrnbetween wet season and dry seasons was only 15.5%. Dietary niche breadth of patas was alsornnarrow during dry seasonal. Moreover, this study found that within their daylight activity timernbudget, Patas monkeys spent 16.71% feeding, 22.75% moving, 11.26% social activity, 32.03%rnresting, 14.93 % vigilance and 2.33% other activity. The results of multivariate analysis revealrnthat season has a statistically significant effect on activity time budget, Wilks’ λ = 0.21, F =rn17.14, df = (6, 27), p < 0.001, η2 = 0.79. Analyses on the effect of ecological factors in activityrntime budget also show that food availability or dietary niche breadth, temperature, ectoparasiterninfestation and predation risks significantly determine seasonal changes in activity time budgets.rnPatas monkeys respond to seasonal environmental changes in their ranging behavior. Dayrnjourney lengths varied between wet and dry seasons (t= - 8.4, df = 28, p< 0.001) with longrn(1,512.8m (±466.18) daily travel length during the dry season. Home range size of the wetrnseason was 36.19651 hectares (±15.5196), whereas in the dry season it was 105.29439 hectaresrn(±104.7916). Wildlife dwelling in the Park have been affected by habitat degradation caused byrnhuman induced fire and dry season water and food resource scarcity. The land cover changernanalysis found that woodland cover of the Park is highly altered. Finally, based on morphologicalrnfeatures and feeding behavior, the study suggests that patas monkey in Northwest Ethiopia isrndistinct enough from E. P. pyrrhonotus and warrant designation as a new and distinct subspecies.rnKey words: Erythrocebus patas, feeding, activity time, ranging behavior, Alatish National Park,rnconservation challenge

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