Ecological factors determining the distribution of the red-bellied guenon Cercopithecus e. erythrogaster in Benin and Togo

Abstract

The red-bellied guenon (Cercopithecus e. erythrogaster) is an endangered subspecies of primate endemic to the Dahomey Gap. To better understand its distribution pattern, interviews with local people in 180 localities in south Benin and southeast Togo and ground surveys were conducted from 2000 to 2007. The species was found inhabiting eight localities in swamp forests, gallery forests and seasonally-flooded semi-deciduous forests. Two of these are protected areas: the Lama Forest of Benin and the Togodo Reserve of Togo. Appropriate conservation actions are necessary for the red-bellied guenon, including improved law enforcement and regular monitoring.