Population and Feeding Ecology of Mona Monkey (Cercopithecus mona Schreber 1774) in Finima Nature Park, Bonny Island, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Mona monkeys feeding and population ecology were studied in FNP. Data were collected
using field observation and review of literatures. Eleven purposely selected pre-existing trails
of 2km each served as transects. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistic. A total of 117
species in 57 families were found in FNP with 18 tree species in 15 families were utilized for
feeding. Elaeis guineesis (31.00%) was the most utilized species. A total of 432 individual
Mona monkeys were sighted and the resource center/residential area (3) and access road (3)
had the highest number of colonies. Similarly, the highest relative abundance and density was
recorded in the resource centre/residential area (22.45%; 48.5/km2) and the airstrip (1.62%;
3.5/km2) recorded the least. Highest time budget was expended on locomotion (33.17%)
while agonistic behavior (1.25%) consumed the least. The need to prioritize and protect plant
species utilized and areas with higher abundance is important.