Nesting Behavior of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gorilla gorilla diehli</Emphasis> at Kagwene Mountain,Cameroon: Implications for Assessing Group Size and Density |
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Authors: | J L Sunderland-Groves A Ekinde H Mboh |
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Institution: | (1) Center for International Forestry Research, Bogor, 16000, Indonesia;(2) Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of Sussex, Sussex House, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RH, UK;(3) Wildlife Conservation Society, Takamanda-Mone Landscape Project, Limbe, South West Province, Cameroon;(4) Ministry of Environment and Nature Protection, Buea, South West Province, Cameroon |
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Abstract: | We recorded nesting data at 569 fresh night nest sites, comprising 7032 individual nests, of Cross River gorillas inhabiting
the Kagwene Mountain in western Cameroon. The mean night nest group size was 12.4. Overall, 55% of night nests were constructed
on the ground and 45% in trees. Significantly more arboreal nests were constructed in the wet season (69%), vs. the dry season
(19%). Day nest construction was common at Kagwene (n = 260 nest sites, mean nest group size = 5.98) and we encountered significantly more day nest sites in the wet season. Nest
site reuse was also common (35%), though not related to season. Our results of nesting habits concur with those from other
western gorilla studies, in which rainfall influences arboreal nesting. However, we encountered wet season arboreal nesting,
day nest construction, and overall nest site reuse more frequently than reported for other sites. Our observations have considerable
implications when estimating group size and density using traditional nest count data. The gorillas at Kagwene inhabit the
highest altitudinal range of all Cross River gorilla subpopulations and rainfall is also high; therefore other subpopulations
may demonstrate different nesting characteristics. However, one should consider our findings when attempting to estimate Cross
River gorilla density at other localities through nest site data. |
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Keywords: | Cross River gorilla Kagwene mountain nests reuse seasonal |
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