@article{MAKHILLRJBS202217229035,
    title = {Population Structure and Seasonal Home Range of Vervet Monkeys Free Ranging Within Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Zoological Park, Ogun State, Nigeria},
    journal = {Research Journal of Biological Sciences},
    volume = {17},
    number = {2},
    pages = {9-15},
    year = {2022},
    issn = {1815-8846},
    doi = {makrjbs.2022.9.15},
    url = {https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?issn=1815-8846&doi=makrjbs.2022.9.15},
    author = {O.,O.,K.,O.,A. and},
    keywords = {Liver, hepatotoxins, herbal medicines, hepatotoxicity},
    abstract = {<p style="text-align:justify">In order to provide baseline information for the management of free‐range primates in a touristic environment, a study to determine the population structure and estimates of home range areas covered of Vervet monkeysin Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Zoological Park was conducted. Direct count method using morphological indices to identify and classify the monkeys into age and sex categories was adopted. Identified troops were followed and coordinates of their movement were taken with the aid of GPS. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the population encountered across months and season. Chi square was used to compare population encountered by season, sex. Coordinates collected were plotted into arcgis to estimate the seasonal area covered i.e., dry and wet season forming a backdrop to generate a bounding area of space covered. The results showed total number of Vervet monkeys encountered was higher in wet season (2,260) than in dry season (2,010). Similarly, monthly trends of the population revealed that the females were more than males all through. The trends seem similar as the population of both sexes peaked together in the month of August (Male = 100, Female = 240). Also, their age structure indicated that Adults&gt;Juvenile&gt;Infants throughout the period of the study. There&nbsp;was no significance difference (p&gt;0.05) in the sex and age structure of the monkeys throughout the period of the study (Male p = 0.91, Female p = 0.96, Adult p = 0.99, Juvenile p = 0.94, Infant p = 0.97), respectively. The home range of the study troop was numerically higher in dry season (6.4 ha) than in wet season (6.3 ha) but there was no significant difference in the area covered by the study troop seasonally (p&gt;0.05). The study concluded that population structure of vervet monkeys in terms of sex was similar and there was similarity in their home range across the two seasons. It is therefore recommended that the areas frequently used by the vervet monkeys should be monitored more in order to ensure&nbsp;continued existence of this free‐range monkeys within the park.</p>
}
    }