The primates of the Udzungwa Mountains: diversity, ecology and conservation

TY - JOUR

T1 - The primates of the Udzungwa Mountains: diversity, ecology and conservation

AU - Rovero, Francesco

AU - Marshall, Andrew R.

AU - Jones, Trevor

AU - Perkin, Andrew

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - Udzungwa Mountains are one of the most important areas in Africa for primate diversity and conservation, with two endemic monkeys (Udzungwa red colobus Procolobus gordonorum and Sanje mangabey Cercocebus [galeritus] sanjei), and the near-endemic kipunji monkey Rungwecebus kipunji, a new genus and species discovered in 2004 and found in Udzungwa and Southern Highlands. With six species of galagos, or bushbabies, the area is also of exceptional importance for nocturnal primates. The form of Mountain galago Galagoides orinus occurring in the Udzungwa Mountains appears to be distinct on the base of vocalizations, and further work will be required to assess its taxonomic status. The primate community reflects the overall, exceptional biodiversity of these isolated and ancient mountains. The Udzungwa are part of the Eastern Arc mountain chain, a centre of global importance for biodiversity and endemism. Of all the Eastern Arc Mountain blocks, the Udzungwa have the largest forested area, widest altitudinal gradient and greatest habitat diversity. We review current knowledge on the diversity and distribution of the primate community of the Udzungwa Mountains, with an emphasis on ecology and conservation.

AB - Udzungwa Mountains are one of the most important areas in Africa for primate diversity and conservation, with two endemic monkeys (Udzungwa red colobus Procolobus gordonorum and Sanje mangabey Cercocebus [galeritus] sanjei), and the near-endemic kipunji monkey Rungwecebus kipunji, a new genus and species discovered in 2004 and found in Udzungwa and Southern Highlands. With six species of galagos, or bushbabies, the area is also of exceptional importance for nocturnal primates. The form of Mountain galago Galagoides orinus occurring in the Udzungwa Mountains appears to be distinct on the base of vocalizations, and further work will be required to assess its taxonomic status. The primate community reflects the overall, exceptional biodiversity of these isolated and ancient mountains. The Udzungwa are part of the Eastern Arc mountain chain, a centre of global importance for biodiversity and endemism. Of all the Eastern Arc Mountain blocks, the Udzungwa have the largest forested area, widest altitudinal gradient and greatest habitat diversity. We review current knowledge on the diversity and distribution of the primate community of the Udzungwa Mountains, with an emphasis on ecology and conservation.

KW - Cercocebus

KW - Cercopithecus

KW - Chlorocebus

KW - Colobus

KW - Otolemur

KW - Papio

KW - Procolobus

KW - Rungwecebus

KW - Udzungwa

KW - EASTERN ARC MOUNTAINS

KW - KENYAN COASTAL FORESTS

KW - BUSH-BABIES

KW - SUBFAMILY GALAGONINAE

KW - RUNGWECEBUS-KIPUNJI

KW - NOCTURNAL PRIMATES

KW - PENILE MORPHOLOGY

KW - CERCOCEBUS-SANJEI

KW - AFRICAN GALAGOS

KW - COLOBUS MONKEYS

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=67649213748&partnerID=8YFLogxK

M3 - Literature review

SN - 1827-4765

VL - 87

SP - 93

EP - 126

JO - Journal of anthropological sciences

JF - Journal of anthropological sciences

ER -