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Spatial and temporal patterns of home range use by olive baboons ( Papio anubis ) in eastern Laikipia, Kenya
Author(s) -
Musyoki Charles M.,
Strum Shirley C.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
african journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1365-2028
pISSN - 0141-6707
DOI - 10.1111/aje.12294
Subject(s) - dry season , biomass (ecology) , papio anubis , shrub , wet season , acacia , range (aeronautics) , grazing , ridge , geography , herb , home range , biology , baboon , ecology , habitat , medicine , materials science , cartography , composite material , medicinal herbs , traditional medicine
The study investigated the relationship between topography, seasonal food availability and home range use by a troop of olive baboons ( Papio anubis ) in a dry savannah environment. Valleys were the most utilized parts of the home range in dry seasons while old boma sites were more frequently used in the wet season. Herb‐layer food biomass decreased significantly in dry seasons. The flowers of both Acacia tortilis and Acacia etbaica were available only in dry seasons with valleys having the highest biomass. The biomass of Acacia nilotica seeds was higher in valleys than on other locations. Leaves of the shrub Lycium europaeum were available on all locations in the wet season but valleys had the highest biomass of this food type. Herb‐layer baboon food biomass at ridge tops, slopes, valleys and old boma sites showed similar trends in productivity between seasons. Baboons tracked food along the soil catenas by feeding at ridge tops and old boma sites where foods were available during the wet season and exploiting food sources at the valleys during the dry seasons. Food availability was related to the catena effect and baboons used the catenas in the home range in a predictable manner.