FOOD AND FEEDING HABITS OF WHITE-THROATED MONKEY (Cercopithecus erythrogaster.L) IN OKOMU NATIONAL PARK, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the relative abundance, feeding habits and nutrient quality of the food of white-throated monkeys. (Cercopithecus crythrogaster (L) in Okomu National Park. The rainy season study was conducted between the months of May to October 2005 and November to February 2006, to determine the effects of seasonality of the food and feeding behaviour of white-throated monkeys in the park, Data were collected between the hours of 7.00 11.30 and 14.00- 19.00 along the natural trails which were used as transects in each of the four ranges in the park. Plant species and their parts eaten by white-throated monkeys were identified through direct observations with the aid of binoculars. Food items eaten by white-throated monkys in the park were identified to include young leaves, matured leaves, fruits and flowers. These identified parts of plants were collected fresh in plastic bags and oven dried at 40"C for 24 hours to estimate the dry matter content. Each dried food sample was milled to powdered form to determine the proximate contents. The results revealed that White-throated monkeys feeds mainly on fruits. Elaeis guineensis, Atlanblanckia floribunda and Myrianthus arborcus recorded the highest percentage of food consumption with 13.3%, 13.3$% and 12.3% respectively, in the rainy season. While Irvingia smithii, Zylopia aethiopica and Juglan nigran recorded the highest percentage frequency of food consumption in the dry season with 17.3%, 14.4% and 13.8% respectively. It was generally concluded that the present vegetation of Okomu National Park could sustain the existing population of white throated monkeys and other wild animal' 'species in the park provided various illegal human activities in the park areas are effectively controlled. Obasogie (2005)