Guinea Baboon (Papio papio)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 11052707

 

The fieldwork developed in the Mauritanian mountains has allowed collecting data on the three target species as well as on several other species present in the area. The high resolution data collected during fieldwork in 2011 were combined with environmental factors to derive ecological niche-based models of Papio papio and Agama boulengeri occurrence, which were then used to calculate the current extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, and to estimate number of subpopulations for both species, and also to evaluate the conservation status of Agama boulengeri. Distance to gueltas was the most important environmental factor related to species distribution, followed by water bodies and freshwater or brackish water vegetation for Papio papio, and by bare areas, rocky deserts and annual precipitation for Agama boulengeri. For Agama boulengeri, suitable areas were mostly located in Mauritania, and four probable fragmented subpopulations were identified. The conservation status was evaluated as Least Concern. For Papio papio, continuous suitable areas were predicted from Mali-Senegal to northern Sierra Leone, mostly along river valleys, and two probable subpopulations were identified in Mauritania (Tagant-Assaba and Afollé mountains). The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy were estimated in ~531,886 km2 and in~107,722 km2, respectively, and the latter located mostly in Senegal and Guinea-Bissau. High distances were predicted between suitable areas for subpopulations and the southern core area, suggesting the isolation of the former. A potential meta-population system was suggested within the Afollé mountain. At the northernmost range, Papio papio is restricted to the unclassified Mauritanian mountains as well as the range of distribution of Agama boulengeri, which emphasizes the island-like character of these mountains to regional biodiversity. Establishment of protected areas should be considered for Mauritanian mountains.

The data collected for Crocodylus niloticus allowed gathering important information concerning the status of the species’ populations along the Senegal River and in the Assaba mountain. Six fecal samples and one tissue sample were collected in the Diawling National Park. The tissue sample was obtained from a dry skin of a run-over crocodile. The six fecal samples were obtained for three different localities of the National Park. Additionally, crocodiles were counted along the river in order to evaluate the population size located in Diawling. The counting was made during the night and by car at slow speed. Given that the crocodile’s eyes have a high light reflectance, an intense spotlight was pointed to the water for maximizing the identification of individuals. In the end, 38 crocodiles were counted. Local extinction of crocodiles was confirmed from the Classified Forest of Ngouye. The presence of crocodiles was confirmed for two new localities in the Assaba mountain (Guelta Meyla and Guelta Galoûla). Four fecal samples were collected in Guelta Meyla and three in Guelta Galoûla. Finally, the presence of crocodiles was confirmed in Guelta Goumbel, also located in the Assaba. Three new fecal samples were obtained in this locality. In southern Mauritania mountains, gueltas are apparently crucial for the persistence of Crocodylus niloticus. Results observed for this species emphasizes the importance of these particular habitats for long-term conservation of mountain restricted biodiversity in Mauritania. Therefore, the patterns identified in this projected for all the target species further reinforce the importance of Mauritania mountains, suggesting that the establishment of protected areas in that area should be considered to minimize human induced threats.