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Introduction
Projects
Team
Publications
Photographic Maps
Distribution
Maps
Links
Yvonne A. de Jong Thomas M. Butynski
Eastern Africa
Primate Diversity and Conservation Program
P.O. Box 149, Nanyuki 10400, Kenya
wildsolutions@gmail.com
June 2011
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Primates are of particular interest and
importance because: (1) they are essential components (often “keystone
species”) of the ecosystems in which they occur, affecting the
composition of the vegetation and accounting for a significant portion
of the mammalian biomass; (2) they are vital to our understanding of
human evolution and human diseases; (3) they are among the best
indicators of the health of ecosystems, and (4) they are among the most
important “flagship species” for those sites in which they are found.
In 2003, Butynski
& De Jong started this long term research program, "Eastern
Africa Primate Diversity and Conservation Program". The
program is comprised of several research projects.
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Biogeography and conservation status of the eastern patas monkey
Erythrocebus patas pyrrhonotus in
Laikipia,
Kenya.
(starting
in June 2011)
To
manage Laikipia’s
patas population, it is important to monitor changes in its distribution and size.
Twelve years ago a patas survey was conducted in Laikipia by
Isbell and Chism (2007). This year the Eastern Africa Primate
Diversity and Conservation Program, in cooperation with the
Lolldaiga Hills Biodiversity Research Program, is conducting a
new survey of this population. As for the previous surveys, much of the
data will be obtained through a questionnaire. All
owners/managers of large properties in Laikipia are invited to take
a few minutes to complete the questionnaire found below.
For more information, or to participate in
this survey, please
click
here.
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Eastern patas monkey Erythrocebus
patas pyrrhonotus. Drawing by Stephen Nash |
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Photographic Maps of the Primates of Kenya and Tanzania: A Tool
for Identification and Conservation (ongoing)
The design and implementation of effective conservation measures
for primates requires an efficient and accessible resource for
the identification of species and subspecies. A total of 487
photographs (June 2010) on five on-line maps, called
‘Photographic Maps’ (or ‘PhotoMaps’), present the phenotypic
characters for 15 species and 26 subspecies of primates at 82
sites in Kenya and Tanzania. The PhotoMaps provide a ‘living’ collection of
photographs. More photographs will be uploaded as they become
available. PhotoMaps are a practical tool for documenting and
discussing primate diversity, taxonomy, biogeography,
distribution and conservation status and, therefore, for
developing and implementing actions for primate conservation.
The use of photographs to document phenotypic characters will
become increasingly important as the collection of specimens for
hands-on assessments becomes ever more difficult.
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Click
here to access the Primate PhotoMaps |
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Assessment of the Primates, Large Mammals and Birds of the
Mathews
Range Forest
Reserve, Central Kenya (completed)
The Mathews Range Forest Reserve (ca.
940 km²) lies within the Namunyak Conservancy (ca.
3332 km²) and is the southern-most of the forest-covered chain
of mountains that crosses the semi-arid plains of Samburu
District in north-central Kenya. Knowledge of the biodiversity
of the Mathews Range is sparse and scattered. From 2 - 14 June
2010, 278 km
(128 h) of foot and vehicle surveys were undertaken in the
Mathews Range and adjacent parts of Namunyak Conservancy. The
principal aims of this survey were to document (1) which species
of primates, large mammals and birds were present and obtain an
indication of abundance, (2) determine the habitat used and
altitude limits for these species, (3) assess intra-specific
variation (phenotypic, vocal, habitat-use) between the primate
species of the Mathews Range and conspecifics at other sites,
(4) establish a baseline against which to monitor change, and
(5) assess threats to the biodiversity of the Mathews Range.
Read more
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Pearl-spotted owlet
Glaucidium perlatum,
Mathews Range, Kenya |
Natural History of the Somali Lesser Galago (Galago gallarum)(ongoing)
The Somali lesser galago (or Somali bushbaby) (Galago
gallarum Thomas, 1901) is one of Africa’s least known
primates. Field observations, literature review and museum
visits are being undertaken to obtain information on the natural
history of the Somali lesser galago. This project reviews what
is known about the taxonomy, distribution, abundance, ecology,
behaviour, and conservation status of G. gallarum.
Read more |
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Somali lesser galago Galago gallarum,
Mathews Range, Kenya |
Distribution, Taxonomy and Conservation Status of the Patas
monkey (Erythrocebus patas) in Eastern Africa (ongoing).
De Jong and Butynski are conducting surveys in eastern
Africa to assess the historic and present geographic range of
the patas monkey. Data are also being obtained from literature
surveys and communications with other researchers, rangers, tour
guides, naturalist, etc. The taxonomy of the various subspecies
of E. patas named for eastern Africa is being reviewed
under this project.
Patas
distribution map Kenya
Patas
distribution map Tanzania |
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Eastern patas monkey Erythrocebus
patas pyrrhonotus. Drawing by Stephen Nash
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Assessment of the Diversity and Conservation Status of Primates
in the Coastal Forests of Kenya
(completed)
Between 2005 and 2008, Butynski and De Jong are conducting
fieldwork in the Eastern Arc Mountains and the coastal forests
of Kenya, an area designated by Conservation International as
part of the Eastern Arc Mountains and Coastal Forests of
Tanzania and Kenya Biodiversity Hotspot (EACF).
Although primates represent one of the best-known taxonomic
groups found in the Hotspot, numerous important questions remain
concerning taxonomy, distribution, abundance, conservation
status, and priorities for conservation actions. In fact,
there is probably no species or subspecies of primate in this
Hotspot for which important questions do not exist that are
relevant to the assessment of its conservation status and,
ultimately, to its long-term survival.
Butynski and De Jong are assessing primate diversity,
distribution, taxonomy and the conservation status of all
primates in the Eastern Arc Mountains and the Kenya Coastal
Forests in a project named:
Assessment of the Diversity and
Conservation Status of Primates in the Coastal Forests of Kenya
with financial support of the
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund.
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Peter's Angola colobus Colobus
angolensis palliatus. Diani, Kenya
Read
the report
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Distribution, Diversity, Taxonomy and Conservation Status of the
Nocturnal and Diurnal Primates of Kenya and Tanzania (ongoing).
All diurnal primates encountered during fieldtrips are
described, photographed and the locality mapped in order to
assess their taxonomy, distribution and conservation status.
Photographs are published on the
Primate PhotoMaps. |
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Ibean olive baboon Papio cynocephalus
ibeanus, Diani, Kenya |
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Research project:
Desert Warthog Research &
Conservation Project (ongoing)
Determine the distribution, abundance, and natural history of
the desert warthog
Phacochoerus aethiopicus in Kenya; reassess its conservation
status, evaluate phenotypic characters to distinguish the common
warthog from the desert warthog in the field, and write an
in situ management
plan for the region in which new priorities for conservation
action are presented. Photos are published on the Warthog
PhotoMap.
Read more ...
Access the
Warthog PhotoMap here
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Desert warthog Phacocheoerus
aethiopicus, Tsavo West NP, Kenya |
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Description of Sykes’s Monkey
Cercopithecus
mitis x
Vervet Monkey
Chlorocebus
pygerythrus Hybrids in Kenya
(ongoing)
Natural hybrids have been reported for several species of
African primates. An adult male monkey that is believed to be a
Sykes’s monkey
Cercopithecus mitis x vervet monkey
Chlorocebus pygerythrus
hybrid was found at Diani on the south coast of Kenya
in December 2008. This is both the first record of a hybrid
between these species as well as between these genera.
Read
more...
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Sykes's x vervet monkey hybrid, Diani, Kenya |
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Hyrax Photographic Map (ongoing)
To
design and implement effective conservation actions, an
efficient and accessible resource for the identification of
subspecies and species is required. An on-line interactive map,
called ‘Hyrax Photographic Map’ (or ‘Hyrax PhotoMap’), presents
the phenotypic characters for hyraxes
(Procavidae)
throughout their geographical range. Besides
photographs, Hyrax PhotoMap holds sources to contact for
recordings of hyrax loud calls. Hyrax PhotoMap serves as a
‘living’ photographic and audio collection---a tool that we
earlier designed for the primates and warthogs of
East Africa.
Access the
Hyrax PhotoMap here
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Southern tree hyrax Dendrohyrax
arboreus, Laikipia, Kenya |
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Guide Training and Expansion of Nature Tourism Activities at
Greystoke-Mahale, Tanzania (Phase I & II;
completed)
Establish Greystoke-Mahale as the premier primate-viewing and
montane forest tourism destination in
Africa, and maintain this status over the long-term.
Funded by Nomad Tanzania, Ltd.
Have a look at the
Greystoke Mahale Guide and Tracker Blog
for brief natural history stories about the Mahale Mountains
National Park.
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Robust chimpanzee Pan troglodytes
schweinfurthii, Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania |
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Description of a new potto
Perodicticus potto
stockleyi in Kenya
(completed)
The potto Perodicticus potto is a small, arboreal,
nocturnal primate with an extensive, but poorly-known,
distribution through tropical Africa, and a debated taxonomy.
This projects (1) examines the Eastern Rift Valley as a major
barrier to primate distribution in eastern Africa, (2) reviews
the taxonomy of P. potto, (3) describes the distribution
of the eastern potto P.p. ibeanus, (4) summarizes what is
known about the body size, abundance, elevation and rainfall
limits of P.p. ibeanus, (5) provides evidence for the
presence of P. potto east of the Eastern Rift Valley, and
(6) describes, names, and discusses a new subspecies of
Perodicticus for Mount Kenya (the ’Mount Kenya potto’
Perodicticus potto stockleyi).
Read more...
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Mount Kenya
potto Perodicticus potto stockleyi. Drawing by Stephen
Nash. |
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Taxonomy, Distribution, and Conservation Status of Three Species
of Dwarf Galagos (Galagoides)
in Eastern Africa
(completed)
This study reviews the complicated
nomenclatural history for the Kenya coast galago,
Galagoides
cf.
cocos,
and examines whether ‘cocos’
is the valid species name for this recently resurrected taxon.
It also reviews the phenotypic and vocal differences among
G. cocos;
the Zanzibar galago (Galagoides
zanzibaricus zanzibaricus);
the Udzungwa galago (Galagoides
zanzibaricus udzungwensis);
and the Mozambique galago (Galagoides
granti),
as well as their geographic ranges and conservation status.
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Kenya coast galago Galagoides cocos,
Manda Island, Kenya |
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Body Measurements for the Monkeys of Bioko Island, Equatorial
Guinea (completed)
This study analyzed the first large set of body measurement data
for each of the seven species of monkeys endemic to Bioko;
means, ranges, standard deviations and sample sizes for seven
body measurements. These 49 data sets derived from 544 fresh
adult specimens (235 adult males and 309 adult females)
collected by shotgun hunters for sale in the bushmeat market in
Malabo.
Read more...
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Bioko Preuss’s monkey Allochrocebus preussi insularis
Malabo Bushmeat Market, Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.
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