Browsing by Author "Kitegile, A.S"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

Foraging in a 3-D world: the influence of body size and sex on vertical and horizontal foraging behaviour of yellow baboons
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2022) Kitegile, A.S; Hassan, S.N
Foraging is among complex animal behaviours, which involve making decisions on what and where to forage, so as to maximize nutritional gain and reduce predation risk. In ungulates, it is known to also be influenced by sexual size dimorphism, however, this is not clear in sexually size dimorphic yellow baboon. Using focal animal sampling techniques, we collected data from habituated troops of yellow baboons to test whether body size and/or sex has influence on their use of vertical and horizontal strata when foraging. Results showed that, yellow baboons foraged more frequently on the ground up to 1 m than beyond this height. However, adult females foraged on the ground significantly more frequently than adult and subadult males. While, adult and subadult males used higher canopy beyond 2 m, more frequently than adult females. Moreover, adult females and subadult males foraged more frequently at the troop centre than adult males. This study concludes that sex and to some extent body size significantly influence foraging decisions of yellow baboon in the use of vertical and horizontal strata. Detailed understanding of spacing behaviour of baboons is recommended as it is important towards better understanding f their complex social life
A new diet on the menu: yellow baboon foraging on cassod tree (senna siamea), a trypsin inhibitor legume
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2022) Kitegile, A.S
Cassod (Senna Siamea) which belongs to the family Fabaceae is the fast-growing leguminous tree with prolific seed production. The tree contains trypsin inhibitor proteins which are potentially deleterious to monogastric animals. Feeding behaviour of yellow baboons has been extensively studied in the savannah environment of East Africa. However, none of the study has reported on yellow baboon foraging on Senna siamea, this is the first study reporting on its consumption by yellow baboons in East Africa. We used focal animal sampling to collect data on yellow baboons’ consumption of Senna siamea. Finding from the study indicated that, seeds were the only food parts consumed by yellow baboons from Senna siamea; and they were consumed more in the late dry season and never in the wet season. Seeds were consumed either unprocessed or processed by removing the seed coat. Consumption of proceed seeds were done more by adult females and sub adult males (small bodied individuals) than adult males. It is considered that the climatic changes witnessed around the globe might have provided baboons with wider food choices options and adaptation. Therefore, more studies on baboons’ dietary choices are important for the understanding of their complex ecological adaptations
Population and conservation status of endangered ashy red Colobus in Ufipa plateau: updates 10 years after first report
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2021) Kitegile, A.S; Mtui, A.S; Mwamende, K
For centuries, forests in Africa have been converted into farm lands and human settlements leading into habitat loss for forest dwelling mammals especially primates. Last century witnessed an extensive decline of primate populations worldwide mostly through habitat destruction. Here we present findings on the current population and conservation status of Ashy Red Colobus monkeys in Ufipa Plateau, southwestern Tanzania after ten years of first report. Using complete animal count and plotless visual assessment, we conducted surveys in each forest assessing for presence or absence of ashy red colobus in these forests and quality of their habitats. There was much disturbance in unprotected Mbuzi forest, reducing the once continuous forest into forest fragments and patches with no primates. In Mbizi, forest has been converted into commercial forest of exotic pine trees leaving remnants of natural forests as habitat for primates. A population size of 528 individual Ashy red Colobus were counted in Mbizi forest, indicating about 56% decline in population size, and mean group size of 26.4 indicate a 35% decline in 10 years. These findings highlight threats to Mbizi population and envisage local extinction of Mbuzi population and recommend for urgent conservation interventions in the area.