Abundance and distribution of mona monkey (Cercopithecus mona Schreber, 1775) in Osun Osogbo World Heritage Site, Nigeria
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the abundance and distribution of mona monkey (Cercopithecus mona Schreber, 1775) in Osun Osogbo World Heritage Site, Nigeria. This study used the line transect method to estimate population densities and map the spatial distribution of Mona monkeys (Cercopithecus mona) in Osun Osogbo World Heritage Site (OOWHS). Transects were marked at intervals of 0.05 km to facilitate data collection. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2016 and SPSS version 2023 to generate frequency tables. The mean density of mona monkeys was found to be high (220.75) in OOWHS. The morning and evening censuses revealed a significant statistical difference between the morning and evening censuses (P = value +0.353 at 0.05). The spatial distribution of mona monkeys was observed to be more in Transect A (near the gate of OOWHS) than in any other range within the selected ranges due to the fact that (Cercopithecus mona) is semi-habituated as a result of high tourism activities at this site and the presence of the tour guides offices that offered protection to the animals and their proximity to the flora composition of palm trees (Elaes guinensis) that serve as food sources and are mostly frequently utilized by the mona monkeys. It is suggested that sustainable management should be in place in monitoring the species in low relative abundance areas of the site,
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