Vegetarian diet in Guenon and Mangabey monkeys of Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, Gabon: similarities and differences

Abstract

To order to know any differences and similarities between Mangabeys and Guenons study of their vegetarian diet was conducted for 10 months between 2013 and 2014 in Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, Gabon. By using the direct observation method, we identified 84 plant species integral to the vegetarian diet of these two groups of monkeys. Thus, we have recorded similarities and differences. Guenons (69 species) consume the same plant species as the Mangabeys (49 species; V = 1594 p-value = 0.1796). They are considered frugivores at large because they consume an average of 84.77% fruit for guenons and 63.37% for the mangabeys, with a difference in the consummation of seeds 18.93% and 3.31% respectively. These results suggest that Mangabey have a seed-eating regime while the guenons tend to consume even when they are unavailable fruits. Our analyzes also showed that these two groups have preference different family of the species that they consume. This is due to the nature of the fruit produced by each family. Furthermore the mangabey (chi-squared = 5.6989, df = 5, p-value = 0.3366) interested in several of plants while monkeys (chisquared = 15.817, df = 5, p-value = 0.007387) remain more attached to fruit consumption.

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Keywords: Mangabeys, Guenons, diet, Moukalaba-Doudou, difference and similarity