ABSTRACT

A study to obtain the population estimate, troop density and troop sizes of guenons (Cercopithecus preussi and Cercopithecus erythrotis) was carried out on 16th January, 12th February, 13 May and 11th June, 2015 in Anape Range, Okwangwo Division of the Cross River National Park, Cross River State, Nigeria. January and February were for dry season and May and June for wet season. Direct sightings and counting were carried out along ten transects lines of equal dimensions (Ikm/lkm) randomly selected from the twenty transects established for the study. Data obtained from this study were analyzed with the aid oftables, bar charts, density equation and standard error of mean. The study showed average troop density and troop size for Cercopithecus preussi in the dry season to be (6.65 + 3.47) troops/km and (4.4 + 0.40) individuals. The average troop density and troop size for Cercopithecus erythrotis in the dry season was (6.96 + 3.35) troops/km2 and (3.8 + 0.39) individuals. Average troop density and troop size for Cercopithecuspreussi in the wet season was (6.23 + 3.12) troops/km2 and (3.9 + 0.32) individuals and for Cercopithecuspreussi was (7.48 + 3.58) troops/km2 and (3.7 + 0.33) individuals. The average troop density for Cercopithecus preussi for the two seasons were (6.44 + 3.30) troops/km2 and average troop size of (4.20 + 0.36) individuals. Similarly, the average troop density for Cercopithecus erythrotis for the two seasons was (7.22 + 3.47) troops/km2 and average troop size of (3.75 + 0.36) individuals. The troop size was observed to be between 2-12 individuals of guenons in the Anape forest. From the study, the high density of C. preussi in the month of January during the dry season was observed to be because of higher visibility. Also, the high density in the month of June for C. erythrotis was due to the availability of food resources. This indicated that the species can adapt to the habitat despite the disturbances such as poaching, predation and other harmful environmental impacts. It is believed that data obtained on these unique but threatened species will add to the value of inventory and recording of their population trend over time