Science Letters

Pre-dispersal Seed Handling Treatment by Five Sympatric Non-human Primates in Kibale National Park, Uganda

Gift S. Simon 1*, Peter Fundi 2, Max Berrill 3, Chege H. Njoroge 4

1 Department of Wildlife, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, University of Juba, 082, Juba, South Sudan

2 Department of Biological Sciences, Chuka University, 109, Chuka, Kenya

3 Department of Biology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom

4 Kenya Wetland Biodiversity Research Team, National Museums of Kenya, 40658-00100, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the seed dispersal potential of five non-human primates that exist sympatrically in Kibale National Park, Uganda. A total of 4,455 seeds of 18 different plant species were collected from 110 faecal samples. The results showed that the quantity of potentially dispersible seeds varied significantly among the five primate species. The Shannon index of diversity showed that olive baboon dispersed a relatively high level of seed diversity, compared to others primates (H=1.74). Chimpanzees dispersed the highest percentage of whole seeds while red-tailed monkeys' faecal samples had the greatest proportion of broken seeds. Dung beetles were found in 29% of the faecal samples with greatest proportion of them found in red-tailed monkey faeces (45%). Ficus sp. dominated in terms of the number of seeds dispersed (3,025) and accounted for 68% of all seeds collected from samples, 4.8% of which were visually identified as unviable for germination. Each primate species differed significantly from all other groups. Pan troglodytes (chimpanzee) dispersed a diversity of intact seeds and colobines (folivores) play a minimal role in seed dispersal. In addition, Papio anubis (olive baboon) may be an important factor driving the distribution of the invasive plant species, Lantana camara.

Keywords Lantana camara, non-human primates, Papio anubis, seed dispersal, sympatry.

Received January 14, 2016 Accepted March 4, 2016 Abstract Published March 12, 2016 Manuscript Published April 15, 2016

*Corresponding author Gift Sarafadin Simon E-mail gftsimon@yahoo.co.uk