Home range and Habitat use of Black and White Colobus Monkey (Colobus guereza guereza) in Khatasa Protected Forest, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

Home range and Habitat use of Black and White Colobus Monkey (Colobus guereza guereza) in Khatasa Protected Forest, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Home range and Habitat use of Black and White Colobus Monkey (Colobus guereza guereza) in Khatasa Protected Forest, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia Eshetu Moges, Silesh Mossie This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7640918/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 25 Feb, 2026 Read the published version in BMC Zoology → Version 1 posted 10 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Khatasa Protected Forest is one of the protected forests found in Awi Zone, Amhara Regional State that has been protected since 1994. The study on home range and habitat use of Colobus monkey ( Colobus guereza ) was carried out from January 2021 to August 2021. For this purpose, ranging data were collected from the focal animal group, and following for continuous periods at regular intervals of 10 minutes. This study was carried out in combination with feeding and habitat use of focal animal samples. During the observation of focal animals in each group, location of troops were recorded using GPS in every 10 min until the follow was concluded. The values from the map were calculated by using measuring tools in the GIS software ArcGIS 10.8. Data on habitat use and feeding were collected in using a scan sampling starting from early morning 7:00 to 12:00 h and in the afternoon from 14:00 to 18:00 h throughout study period. The ranging ecology of Colobus monkey in the study area was characterized by a mean daily range length of (207.13 m, SE ± 10.14) in the study. The highest mean daily range length was recorded during the dry season mainly in March (281m, SE ± 16.33) while the lowest mean daily range length was recorded during the wet season mainly in July (147m, SE ± 6.45). In regarding to habitat use/feeding, colobus consumed nearly 15 plant species in Khatasa Protected Forest. Among the plant species Albizia Schimeperiana and Apodytes dimidiate had contributed to high proportion of the diet of Colobus monkey, which were (33.25%) and (12.85%), respectively. The variation in type of plant species consumed in the study period showed a significance difference (χ2 = 49, df = 1, p = 0.05) between dry and wet seasons. Determine the ranging and feeding ecology of Colobus monkey in dry and wet seasons in this protected area would enable to take conservation actions. /Phrases: Colobus monkey forest home range habitat use seasonal variations Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Introduction Colobus monkeys are arboreal species, and they are mainly susceptible to deforestation activities (Kankam et al ., 2013; Shumet et al ., 2017; Zewdu and Jacinta, 2022). Two of the eight subspecies of Colobus guereza are endemic to Ethiopia: C. g. gallarum and C. g. guereza (Kingdon et al ., 2008). However, the validity of the Ethiopian taxa is debated and observed morphological differences were attributed to clinal variation within C. g. guereza . Some of the population of the species, especially those belonging to the sub-species C. g. gallarum have a notably small habitat range (Kingdon et al ., 2008; Chanie et al ., 2021). The foliverous species tend to have smaller home range every day than frugivorous primates do (Zhou et al., 2013 ). Colobus monkey can modify their ranging behavior in response to seasonal modifications in food availability as some primate species decrease the size of day by day tours when notable food is scarce (Bartlett, 1999 ; Kibaja et al., 2023 ), whilst others show the opposite response, visiting in search of remarkable diet (Bocian, 1997 ; Snaitha and Chapman, 2008 ). Colobus monkeys are in a position to use a very small home range and adapt to food scarcity within energy conservation approach of growing rest while decreasing each day travel as a result the species can also alter their behavior to adapt to local environmental conditions (Dunham and Graw, 2014; Asmamaw et al .,2025). Anderson, Colobus monkeys are dominantly inhabit large contiguous rainforests, gallery forests, and fragmented forest patches (Anderson et al., 2007 ; Fentahun and Mesele, 2017 ; Dereje et al., 2022 ). They are predominantly folivorous, with a diet mostly consisting of young leaves (Wasserman and Chapman, 2003 ; Tesfaye et al., 2021 ). Habitat use of colobus monkey is notably influenced by fragmentation and different varieties of human disturbance to their natural habitats (Oates, 1994; Margaret, 2017 ; Mekonnen et al., 2020 ; Zewdu and Jacinta, 2022). In addition, the feeding ecology of the species has been significantly influenced by different ecological factors such as scarcity of essential nutrients (Fashing et al., 2007 ). Though this factor has also had been brought significant impacts on colobus monkey’s ecological behavior and ranging patterns (Zhou et al., 2011 ; Wijtten et al., 2012 ; Smith et al., 2013 ; Zhou et al., 2013 ). Therefore, the main objectives of this study were to (1) estimate home range size of black-and-white colobus monkeys in Khatasa Forest, Awi Zone, Amhara; (2) determine habitat use of black-and white colobus monkeys; and (3) provide appropriate recommendations for the long-term protection of C. g. guereza and its habitats in the area. METHODS Description of the study area This study was conducted in Khatasa Protected Forest Awi Zone of Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia. Khatasa Protected Forest is geographically located between 10’58' 34.5'' to 10° 59‘02.1’’ N latitude and 36° 47‘03.9’’ to 36⁰ 48‘26.9‘‘E longitude with an area of 540.74 ha. The topography of the study area consists of areas with gentle to steep slopes. The landscape is composed of agricultural and grazing areas, settlements, rivers, hills, and small to medium-sized mountains. The topographic feature of the study area ranges between altitudes of 2,200 – 2,500 m.a.s.l (Mekonnen, et al., 2016). As a result of this, the study area consist of different vegetation types such as Dry Afromontane forest, Riverine forest and plantation forest. It also harbors a diverse wildlife species such as mammals and birds. Among the large mammals: leopard, spotted hyena, African wolf, serval, Olive baboon, Grivet monkey, Blue monkey and Abyssinian hare were the most common wildlife species recorded during the study period (Figure, 1). The climate of the area is characterized by a moderate temperature (GSE, 2010). However, the mean monthly temperature of the area ranges between 12 º C and 27 º C. The area has a unimodal rainfall pattern with precipitation mean ranges from 150 mm to 250 mm (Figure 2). Data Collection Methods Preliminary survey Prior to the actual data collection, a reconnaissance survey of the study area was conducted in December 2020, and the survey showed the study area is heterogeneous in vegetation type and topography. Data collection was conducted in Khatasa Protected Forest from January 2021 to March 2021 in the dry season and from June 2021 to August 2021 in the wet season. Range ecology Ranging data were collected from the focal animal groups by following for continuous periods at regular intervals of 10 minutes. This study was carried out in conjunction with observation of feeding behavior and habitat use. During the focal animal follows, the location of the animals were recorded using GPS in every 10 minutes until the follow ended- either when the colobus monkeys’ entered their evening sleeping site/tree or when the researchers could no longer locate them (Smith et al ., 2013; Dunham, 2017). In addition, data were also collected even when activity data were not obtainable owing to poor visibility, as long as the focal individual’s location could be confirmed via signals such as distinctive tree movements or vocalizations ( Eustace et al .,2015; Eshetu et al ., 2025).The day range length was determined based on the shortest point-to-point movements of the focal individual colobus between consecutive GPS locations during full-day flow in sampling day (four days in each month) (Wong and Sicotte, 2007; Mekonnen et al ., 2010). Each day range was plotted on a GIS-system generated map (Arc Map version 10.8) and Google earth pro by connecting the consecutive GPS location records and the total distances traveled per day. The range sample size from all-day follow may be small for some months and larger on other days. So, we calculated seasonal rather than monthly mean day range lengths. Also home ranges were calculated using a program called kernel density estimation Geo processing tool from Arc GIs software for the purpose of drawing the home range area and different percentage of area usage in different season (Mekonnen et al ., 2017; Dereje et al. , 2022). The GPS points from all of the observation periods were merged together to analyze the utilization of the habitats in dry and wet seasons. Habitat use To study the habitat use and characteristics of the focal animals, sample quadrates were made on the habitats of Colobus monkey. For vegetation description of the study sites, four 50×40 quadrates in each site were established, and in each quadrant, the type and number of plant species were recorded (Silvertown, 1987; Grytnes and Vetaas, 2002).Behavioral data on Colobus monkey were collected using scan sampling. Feeding activity of focal individuals was recorded every 30 min from 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM or later if the group had not settled for the night. At the beginning of each scan, the first monkey seen was used, but we waited 5 seconds before recording its behavior to avoid biasing the data in favor of eye-catching behaviors. We then moved to the next individual to the right of the first, until the feeding activity of the group members was recorded (Da Silva, 1992; Snaitha and Chapman, 2008). Data recorded were feeding habit (upper, middle, or lower third of tree crown); food tree species; plant part; and diameter at breast height (DBH). Diet was determined from these scan data. Diet tree species were defined as any tree consumed for >1% of the feeding observations of any group (Rothman et al., 2007). Similarly, diet of the species were defined as any species–plant part combination consumed for >1% of feeding observations of any group member; plant parts included mature leaves, young leaves, petioles, leaf buds, fruits, flowers, bark, and seeds. Using repeated standard observation and the scan sampling method, the feeding habit, food items, and seasonal dietary variations of the species were identified (DaSilva, 1992; Fashing, 2001). Data such as the name of the plant species, the forms and parts consumed by the animal, the time spent foraging, and the number of observation times when they consume the plant types or parts were recorded (Fashing, 2001; Mekonen et al ., 2010). Data Analysis Range data was calculated by using ArcGIS 10.8. It was also calculated using a program called Kernel Density estimation Geo processing tool from Arc GIs software for the purpose of drawing their home range areas with percentage area of using in dry and wet seasons. The feeding activity of Colobus monkey was analyzed by computing the percentage of foraging time devoted to a specific plants species and the parts consumed. Dietary composition was measured by calculating the proportion of various dietary items and plant species consumed by focal groups based on the total amount of feeding time spent (Felton et al ., 2008; Mekonen et al ., 2010). Results Daily range lengths The ranging ecology of Colobus monkey in the study area was characterized by a mean daily range length of (232m, SE±12.930) in the dry season and (181.6 m, SE±12.09) in the wet season. However, daily traveling range also varies from one habitat to other habitat type in both dry and wet seasons. The highest daily range length was observed in plantation forest (315 and 290 m) in both seasons. So that One-way ANOVA shows that there was significant difference between mean daily range length of colobus monkey in different habitat type (χ2 = 10018.7, f = 5.7, p = 0.010) (Table 1). Multiple compression of Post hock test was also conducted to show which habitat has really significant effect on the daily range length of colobus monkey in the study area. It showed that there was a significant difference in the distribution of the species, particularly DAF with, PF and RF with, PF (Table 2). In overall, the ranging ecology of Colobus monkey in the study area was characterized by a mean daily range length, of (207.13 m, SE±10.14) in the study period. The highest mean daily range length was observed during the dry season mainly in March (281m, SE±16.33)while the lowest mean daily rang length was observed during the wet season mainly in July (147 m, SE±6.45) it might be associated with different factor. However, the independent sample t test shows that there was a significant difference in the mean daily range length of colobus monkey in dry and wet seasons (t=2.86, df = 22, p = 0.009)(Table 3). Habitat use The home range of an animal is the area that inhabited and used for the daily activities. In present study, Kernel Density Estimates showed evidence of well-defined home range use and the total area covered by individuals of the species. KDE approach calculates density fields that can be transformed and/or rescaled into probabilistic utilization surfaces. To derive volume contours from the utilization density surfaces—or polygons that are formed, so from the current study result, area usage of home range was classified into three main classes as highly, moderately and low used areas based on the Kernel Density value per unit area for density of point location that colobus monkey exist related to their forging utilization activity (Fig.3) so, the result shows that highly used area which is represented by blue black and white color is more intense use , moderately used area which is represented by red color while this is denser than low used area which is represented white and green in dry and wet season, respectively. The usage proportion might be related to the resource availability and other factor such as presence and absence of disturbance and suitability for other courtship display is cause for denser or scatter point existence of colobus monkey (Figure 3). As the date in (Table 4) shows the utilized area based on the percent of data point, and hence the average home range size of colobus monkey in Khatasa Forest is much different so low used area comprising (0.00214 and 0.00034 km 2) and highly used area comprising (0.0059 and 0.00031 km 2 ) in both dry and wet seasons, respectively, so there was significance difference between home range size colobus monkey in dry and wet season (t=3.009, df=4, p=0.048).Habitat types inhabited by colobus monkey at Khatasa forest is a might be related to resource availability ,suitability as well as rivers and small streams that surround the forest, giving it more highly used (Table 4). In the present study, colobus consumed nearly 15 plant species in Khatasa Protect Forest. The plant species were predominantly trees. From these plant species that contributed to high proportion of the diet of Colobus monkey was Albizia Schimeperiana , (33.2%), Apodytes dimidiate (12.8%), Dodonaea Angustifolia (11.1 %) and Schefflera abyssinica (8.4%),these contributed a total of 77 % of their diet, However, the variation in the types of plant species consumed in the study period showed a significance difference (χ2 = 49 , df = 1 ,p = 0.05) between dry and wet seasons (Table 5). Discussion The ranging ecology of Colobus monkey in the study area was characterized by the daily travel distance of the species. In the study period, the daily travel distance of Colobus monkey was vary from season to season. The highest daily range length was 232 m in the dry season while the shortest range length was 181 m in the wet season. The shortest range length in wet season might be associated with high amount of rainfall and excess food availability in the area. However, high range length in the dry season might be associated with in search of food as compared to the wet season. Similarly, Petros et al. (2018) had reported that daily range length of colobus in dry season was 248.7 m in Bale Mountains National Park, which was almost similar to the present study in Khatasa Forest. In addition, he had also reported that Colobus monkey day-range length was strongly associated with the availability of food resources. In the present study, daily travel range was not only varied among seasons but also vary from one habitat to another habitat type in both dry and wet seasons. The highest daily range length was observed in plantation forest (315m and 290 m) in dry and wet season, respectively. This could be related with the homogeneity of the habitat type in species diversity ; i.e. feed-in variability pushes them to cover relatively highest range length than another habitat types. In addition, Petros et al . (2018) had reported a similar daily range length of colobus monkey in Bale Mountains National Park that was associated with food resources availability of the species. In this study, total estimated home range size of colobus monkey in Khatasa Forest was significantly varied from season to season (0.0152 km 2 ) and (0.00148 km 2 ) in dry and wet seasons, respectively. The variation might be related to the availability of food resource and different climatic factor such as high rain fall and perception push them to forging in small area and restricted around the area where the major plant species is presented. Similarly, Dunham (2017) and Bocian (1997) had reported that forest composition and food availability differed greatly among the home ranges of the colobus monkey, so, home range of the species was determined by the proportion of density of food species, i.e the lower tree species and lower food availability. Moreover, Dunbar (1987) had also reported that the home range area usage of colobus monkey in the forests of Diani Beach, Kenya was different in both dry and wet seasons. This was correlated with the variations in weather conditions as a determinant factor for their activity pattern and home range. In contrary, Fashing (2007) and Harris and Chapman 2007) had reported that Colobus monkey at both Kibale and Kakamega, variability in ranging patterns over time appears to be more related to the distribution of infrequently eaten food items that are spatially rare yet nutritionally important, like sodium-rich swamp plants or Eucalyptus bark. Similarly, Colobus monkey at Kakamega Forest covered relatively longer range and travelled more than 600 m and ventured far beyond the ‘normal’ boundaries of their home range on excursions through intensely-defended areas of the ranges from other groups to reach their territory. Colobus monkey consumed nearly15 different plant species throughout the study period. In the study area, the species spent more time in feeding. Among the plant species, Albizia Schimeperiana , Ekebergia capensis , Apodytes dimidiata , Dodonaea Angustifolia and Schefflera abyssinica had contributed a total of 77 % of their diet. Similarly, Ibrahim et al. (2017) had reported the highest proportion of the diet by these plant species in Borena Sayent National Park. In addition, Dwyer (2011) had also reported that 72 tree species identified as a sources of food in Diani Forest, Kenya. However, Sefi and Mastewal (2021) had reported only 5 species of plant that were the highly consumed by colobus monkey out of the total of 19 plant species in Harenna Forest. Similarly, Fashing (2001) had reported that colobus monkeys spending more time in feeding on a few species such as Ficus exasperata from 32 tree species in Kakamega Forest, Kenya. In the present study, Albizia Schimeperiana accounted the highest percentage contribution of the plant food items that followed by Apodytes dimidiate , Dodonaea Angustifolia , respectively. On average, Colobus monkeys feed on low plant species diversity as compared to other sites in Africa. Howeve r, Albizia Schimeperiana, Apodytes dimidiata, Dodonaea angustifolia were the most frequently consumed food item during the present study in Khatasa Forest. Similarly, Fashing (2001) had reported that Colobus monkey appear to be adapted to feed on relatively few food species and to maintain a low dietary species diversity even in species-rich rain forest environments in the Kakamega Forest, Kenya. Conclusions Colobus monkeys are arboreal species that adapted to forest ecosystem, and their dietary niches make them highly vulnerable to forest fragmentation and degradation. This offers many potential opportunities for conservation. However, large-scale use of forest trees for local consumption and commercial purpose requires a science management plan to improve the local community’s livelihood and ensure sustainable use without significantly affecting the long-term survival of colobus monkeys in the area. We suggest that colobus monkeys could serve as a keystone species for conservation other species and the forest habitat itself. There is a high rate of forest habitat fragmentation, so protection will provide important habitat, increase fragment connectivity, and reduce the use of tree forest for timber product and other purposes. Hence, management strategies will also help to achieve and conserve other sympatric species in the area. Declarations Acknowledgements I am grateful to the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Ecotourism Management, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia for logistical support during the research work. I would like to acknowledge the Primate Conservation Inc. (PCI) for its support this research project. I would also like to acknowledge Khatasa Protected Forest Authority for giving support and permission to carry out this research work in the protected forest. Author contributions SM conceived and wrote the proposal. Field data collection and analysis were completed by SM. EM contributed to the data analysis, organization and GIS mapping. The manuscript was drafted by SM and revised and polished by EM. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript. Funding This research was granted by the Primate Conservation Inc. (PCI). Data availability The data associated with the paper can be accessed under the consent of the corresponding author (s) on reasonable request. Ethics approval and consent to participate Not applicable. Consent for publication Not applicable. 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International Journal of Primatology, 2011 (32), 511–523. Zhou, Q., Wei, H., Huang, Z., Krzton, A., and Huang, C. Ranging behavior and habitat use of the Assamese macaque (Macaca assamensis) in limestone habitats of Nonggang, 2013. Tables Table 1. Daily range length of colobus monkey in different habitat. Daily rang lengths of C. monkey in dry and wet seasons Seasons Habitat type Total distance in (m) Std. Error Mean(m) Dry season DAF 1781 11.41 222.63 RF 694 34.59 231.33 PF 315 315 Total 2790 12.93 232 Wet season DAF 1226 8.221 175.4 RF 665 17.021 166.3 PF 290 290 Total 2181 12.091 181.6 NB:-DAF: dry afromontane forest, RF: riverine forest, PF: plantation forest. Table 2. Tukey HSD multiple compression of effect of study habitat on the daily rang length of colobus monkey (I)habitat (j)habitat Mean difference Std. error sig 95% confidence interval DAF RF 6.324 19.158 .942 -41.96 54.61 PF -102.033* 31.506 .011 -181.45 -22.62 RF DAF -6.324 19.158 .942 -54.61 41.96 PF -108.357* 33.557 .011 -192.94 -23.77 PF DAF 102.033* 31.506 .011 22.62 181.45 RF 108.357* 33.557 .011 23.77 192.94 *. The mean difference is significant at the 0.05 level. Table 3. Mean daily range length of colobus monkey during dry and wet season Monthly recorded Session Total travel distance in(m) Std. error Mean(m) Dry season 1 892 14.15 223 2 773 6.09 193.25 3 1125 16.33 281.25 total 2,790 36.57 232.5 4 782 10.14 195.5 Wet season 5 588 6.45 147 6 811 29.17 202.75 total 2,181 45.76 181.75 NB :- session 1: January, session 2: February, session 3: March, Session 4:Jun , session 5: July, session 6: August. Table 4. Estimated home range size in (km 2 ) of Khatasa Forest Method % Data point Area estimated(km 2 ) Kernel density Dry season Wet season Dry season Wet season 14 23 0.00214 0.00034 39 21 0.00718 0.00083 47 56 0.0059 0.00031 Table 5. Percentage of plant species consumed by colobus monkey in dry and wet seasons Local name Species name Family Life form Part consumed % of contribution Dry season Wet season Mean Dong Apodytes dimidiate Icacinaceae Tree YL,ML,FR 13.1 12.6 12.8 Lol Ekebergia capensis Meliaceae Tree YL,ML,SH 12.1 10.1 11.1 Shola Ficus sur croton Moraceae Tree YL,FR 6.9 0 3.45 Besana Macro stachus Euphorbiaceae Tree FR 2.7 4.3 3.5 Tid Juniperus procera Cupressaceae Tree FR,BR 0.5 0 0.25 Sesa Albizia Schimeperi Fabaceae Tree YL,SH,FR 30.7 35.8 33.2 Keteketa Dodonaea angustif Sapindaceae Tree YL,FR 11.1 11.1 11.1 Kimo Rhus glutinosa anacardiaceae Tree YL,FR 6.1 8.6 7.35 Welekefa Dombeya torrida Sterculiaceae Tree BR 0.4 0 0.2 Shenbko Arundo donax Poaceae Tree YL 2.2 4 3.1 Avalo Brucea antidysenterica simaroubaceae Tree YL 0.5 0 0.25 Gitem Schefflera abyssinica Araliaceae Tree YL,FR 8.5 8.3 8.4 Kulkual Opuntia ficusindica Cactaceae Tree FR 0.8 0 0.4 Cheba Acacia nilotica Fabaceae Tree YL,FR 0.7 0.5 0.6 Atete Maytenus gracilipes Celasteraceae Shr YL 0.7 0 0.35 NB: - YL: young leaves, ML: mature leaves, SH: shoot, FR: fruit, FL: flower, BK: bark, RT: root Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 25 Feb, 2026 Read the published version in BMC Zoology → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 06 Jan, 2026 Reviews received at journal 15 Dec, 2025 Reviews received at journal 22 Nov, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 18 Nov, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 24 Oct, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 22 Oct, 2025 Editor invited by journal 21 Oct, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 18 Sep, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 18 Sep, 2025 First submitted to journal 17 Sep, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":538437,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eMap of the study area\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7640918/v1/ae099322f750ed73cde41c76.png"},{"id":95222878,"identity":"197c7eb7-8969-4b23-a229-f01815f3c30f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-05 16:21:17","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":80994,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eMean monthly rainfall (mm) and temperature (℃)\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c/strong\u003eof the study area\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7640918/v1/9753216acefdc7562a199e48.png"},{"id":95065402,"identity":"53db1777-f0db-4e65-815b-8dfcd528afa0","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-04 01:28:05","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":122251,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eKDE home range usage of colobus monkey in Khatasa Forest during dry and wet seasons\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7640918/v1/98bd076ba1ae053dcfa09371.png"},{"id":103766285,"identity":"f70fdf5b-318d-4399-9b02-c4d5b081c8b3","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-02 16:13:34","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1453299,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7640918/v1/d7c9d1ee-3458-4742-a072-2b25ca00d0e6.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Home range and Habitat use of Black and White Colobus Monkey (Colobus guereza guereza) in Khatasa Protected Forest, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eColobus monkeys are arboreal species, and they are mainly susceptible to deforestation activities (Kankam \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2013; Shumet \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2017; Zewdu and Jacinta, 2022). Two of the eight subspecies of \u003cem\u003eColobus guereza\u003c/em\u003e are endemic to Ethiopia: \u003cem\u003eC. g. gallarum\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eC. g. guereza\u003c/em\u003e (Kingdon \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2008). However, the validity of the Ethiopian taxa is debated and observed morphological differences were attributed to clinal variation within \u003cem\u003eC. g. guereza\u003c/em\u003e. Some of the population of the species, especially those belonging to the sub-species \u003cem\u003eC. g. gallarum\u003c/em\u003e have a notably small habitat range (Kingdon \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2008; Chanie \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2021). The foliverous species tend to have smaller home range every day than frugivorous primates do (Zhou et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eColobus monkey can modify their ranging behavior in response to seasonal modifications in food availability as some primate species decrease the size of day by day tours when notable food is scarce (Bartlett, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1999\u003c/span\u003e; Kibaja et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e), whilst others show the opposite response, visiting in search of remarkable diet (Bocian, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1997\u003c/span\u003e; Snaitha and Chapman, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e). Colobus monkeys are in a position to use a very small home range and adapt to food scarcity within energy conservation approach of growing rest while decreasing each day travel as a result the species can also alter their behavior to adapt to local environmental conditions (Dunham and Graw, 2014; Asmamaw \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e.,2025). Anderson,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eColobus monkeys are dominantly inhabit large contiguous rainforests, gallery forests, and fragmented forest patches (Anderson et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e; Fentahun and Mesele, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Dereje et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). They are predominantly folivorous, with a diet mostly consisting of young leaves (Wasserman and Chapman, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2003\u003c/span\u003e; Tesfaye et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Habitat use of colobus monkey is notably influenced by fragmentation and different varieties of human disturbance to their natural habitats (Oates, 1994; Margaret, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Mekonnen et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Zewdu and Jacinta, 2022). In addition, the feeding ecology of the species has been significantly influenced by different ecological factors such as scarcity of essential nutrients (Fashing et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e). Though this factor has also had been brought significant impacts on colobus monkey\u0026rsquo;s ecological behavior and ranging patterns (Zhou et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e; Wijtten et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e; Smith et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e; Zhou et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e). Therefore, the main objectives of this study were to (1) estimate home range size of black-and-white colobus monkeys in Khatasa Forest, Awi Zone, Amhara; (2) determine habitat use of black-and white colobus monkeys; and (3) provide appropriate recommendations for the long-term protection of \u003cem\u003eC. g. guereza\u003c/em\u003e and its habitats in the area.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"METHODS","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription of the study area\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study was conducted in Khatasa Protected Forest Awi Zone of Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia. Khatasa Protected Forest is geographically located between 10\u0026rsquo;58\u0026apos; 34.5\u0026apos;\u0026apos; to 10\u0026deg; 59\u0026lsquo;02.1\u0026rsquo;\u0026rsquo; N latitude and 36\u0026deg; 47\u0026lsquo;03.9\u0026rsquo;\u0026rsquo; to 36⁰ 48\u0026lsquo;26.9\u0026lsquo;\u0026lsquo;E longitude with \u0026nbsp;an area of 540.74 ha. The topography of the study area consists of areas with gentle to steep slopes. The landscape is composed of agricultural and grazing areas, settlements, rivers, hills, and small to medium-sized mountains. The topographic feature of the study area ranges between altitudes of 2,200 \u0026ndash; 2,500 m.a.s.l (Mekonnen, \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2016). As a result of this, the study area consist of different vegetation types such as Dry Afromontane forest, Riverine forest and plantation forest. It also harbors a diverse wildlife species such as mammals and birds. Among the large mammals: leopard, spotted hyena, African wolf, serval, Olive baboon, Grivet monkey, Blue monkey and Abyssinian hare were the most common wildlife species recorded during the study period (Figure, 1).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe climate of the area is characterized by a moderate temperature (GSE, 2010). However, the mean monthly temperature of the area ranges between 12 \u0026ordm; C and 27 \u0026ordm; C. The area has a unimodal rainfall pattern with precipitation mean ranges from 150 mm to 250 mm (Figure 2).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData Collection\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;Methods\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"_Toc22122538\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreliminary survey\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrior to the actual data collection, a reconnaissance survey of the study area was conducted in December 2020, and the survey showed the study area is heterogeneous in vegetation type and topography. Data collection was conducted in Khatasa Protected Forest from January 2021 to March 2021 in the dry season and from June 2021 to August 2021 in the wet season.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRange ecology\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRanging data were collected from the focal animal groups by following for continuous periods at regular intervals of 10 minutes. This study was carried out in conjunction with observation of feeding behavior and habitat use. During the focal animal follows, the location of the animals were recorded using GPS in every 10 minutes until the follow ended- either when \u0026nbsp;the colobus monkeys\u0026rsquo; entered \u0026nbsp;their evening sleeping site/tree or when the researchers could \u0026nbsp;no longer locate them (Smith \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2013; Dunham, 2017).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, data were also collected even when activity data were not obtainable owing to poor visibility, as long as the focal individual\u0026rsquo;s location could be confirmed via signals such as distinctive tree movements or vocalizations (\u003cstrong\u003eEustace\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e.,2015; Eshetu \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2025).The day range length was determined based on the shortest point-to-point movements of the focal individual colobus between consecutive GPS locations during full-day flow in sampling day (four days in each month) (Wong and Sicotte, 2007; Mekonnen \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2010). Each day range was plotted on a GIS-system generated map (Arc Map version 10.8) and Google earth pro by connecting the consecutive GPS location records and the total distances traveled per day. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe range sample size from all-day follow may be small for some months and larger on other days. So, we calculated seasonal rather than monthly mean day range lengths. Also home ranges were calculated using a program called kernel density estimation Geo processing tool from Arc GIs software for the purpose of drawing the home range area and different percentage of area usage in different season (Mekonnen \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2017; Dereje \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2022). The GPS points from all of the observation periods were merged together to analyze the utilization of the habitats in dry and wet seasons. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHabitat use\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo study the habitat use and characteristics of the focal animals, sample quadrates were made on the habitats of Colobus monkey. For vegetation description of the study sites, four 50\u0026times;40 quadrates in each site were established, and in each quadrant, the type and number of plant species were recorded (Silvertown, 1987; Grytnes and Vetaas, 2002).Behavioral data on Colobus monkey were collected using scan sampling. Feeding activity of focal individuals was recorded every 30 min from 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM or later if the group had not settled for the night. At the beginning of each scan, the first monkey seen was used, but we waited 5 seconds before recording its behavior to avoid biasing the data in favor of eye-catching behaviors. We then moved to the next individual to the right of the first, until the feeding activity of the group members was recorded (Da Silva, 1992; Snaitha and Chapman, 2008).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;Data recorded were feeding habit (upper, middle, or lower third of tree crown); food tree species; plant part; and diameter at breast height (DBH). Diet was determined from these scan data. Diet tree species were defined as any tree consumed for \u0026gt;1% of the feeding observations of any group (Rothman \u003cem\u003eet al.,\u003c/em\u003e 2007). Similarly, diet of the species were defined as any species\u0026ndash;plant part combination consumed for \u0026gt;1% of feeding observations of any group member; plant parts included mature leaves, young leaves, petioles, leaf buds, fruits, flowers, bark, and seeds. Using repeated standard observation and the scan sampling method, the feeding habit, food items, and seasonal dietary variations of the species were identified (DaSilva, 1992; Fashing, 2001). Data such as the name of the plant species, the forms and parts consumed by the animal, the time spent foraging, and the number of observation times when they consume the plant types or parts were recorded (Fashing, 2001; Mekonen \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2010).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData Analysis\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRange data was calculated by using ArcGIS 10.8. It was also calculated using a program called Kernel Density estimation Geo processing tool from Arc GIs software for the purpose of drawing their home range areas with percentage area of using in dry and wet seasons.\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe feeding activity of Colobus monkey was analyzed by computing the percentage of foraging time devoted to a specific plants species and the parts consumed. Dietary composition was measured by calculating the proportion of various dietary items and plant species consumed by focal groups based on the total amount of feeding time spent (Felton \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2008; Mekonen \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2010).\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003ch2\u003eDaily range lengths \u0026nbsp;\u003cu\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/u\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ranging ecology of Colobus monkey in the study area was characterized by a mean daily range length of (232m, SE\u0026plusmn;12.930) in the dry season and (181.6 m, SE\u0026plusmn;12.09) in the wet season. However, daily traveling range also varies from one habitat to other habitat type in both dry and wet seasons. The highest daily range length was observed in plantation forest (315 and 290 m) in both seasons. So that One-way ANOVA shows that there was significant difference between mean daily range length of colobus monkey in different habitat type (\u0026chi;2\u003csub\u003e=\u003c/sub\u003e10018.7, f\u003csub\u003e=\u003c/sub\u003e5.7, p\u003csub\u003e=\u003c/sub\u003e0.010) (Table 1).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMultiple compression of Post hock test was also conducted to show which habitat has really significant effect on the daily range length of colobus monkey in the study area. It showed that there was a significant difference in the distribution of the species, particularly DAF with, PF and RF with, PF (Table 2).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn overall, the ranging ecology of Colobus monkey in the study area was characterized by a mean daily range length, of (207.13 m, SE\u0026plusmn;10.14)\u0026nbsp;in the study period. The highest mean daily range length was observed during the dry season mainly in March (281m, SE\u0026plusmn;16.33)while the lowest mean daily rang length was observed during the wet season mainly in July (147 m, SE\u0026plusmn;6.45)\u0026nbsp;it might be associated with different factor. However, the independent sample t test shows that there was a significant difference in the mean daily range length of colobus monkey in dry and wet seasons (t=2.86, df \u003csub\u003e=\u003c/sub\u003e22, p\u003csub\u003e=\u003c/sub\u003e0.009)(Table 3). \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHabitat use\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe home range of an animal is the area that inhabited and used for the daily activities. In present study, Kernel Density Estimates showed evidence of well-defined home range use and the total area covered by individuals of the species. KDE approach calculates density fields that can be transformed and/or rescaled into probabilistic utilization surfaces. To derive volume contours from the utilization density surfaces\u0026mdash;or polygons that are formed, so from the current study result, area usage of home range was classified into three main classes as highly, moderately and low used areas based on the Kernel Density value per unit area for density of point location that colobus monkey exist related to their forging utilization activity (Fig.3) so, the result shows that highly used area which is represented by blue black and white color is more intense use , moderately used area which is represented by red color while this is denser than low used area which is represented white and green in dry and wet season, respectively. The usage proportion might be related to the resource availability and other factor such as presence and absence of disturbance and suitability for other courtship display is cause for denser or scatter point existence of colobus monkey (Figure 3).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the date in (Table 4) shows the utilized area based on the percent of data point, and hence the average home range size of colobus monkey in Khatasa Forest is much different so low used area comprising (0.00214 and 0.00034 km\u003csup\u003e2)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003eand highly used area comprising (0.0059 and 0.00031 km\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e) in both dry and wet seasons, respectively, so there was significance difference between home range size colobus monkey in dry and wet season (t=3.009, df=4, p=0.048).Habitat types inhabited by colobus monkey at Khatasa forest is a might be related to resource availability ,suitability as well as rivers and small streams that surround the forest, giving it more highly used\u0026nbsp;(Table 4).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the present study, colobus consumed nearly 15 plant species in Khatasa Protect Forest. The plant species were predominantly trees. From these plant species that contributed to high proportion of the diet of Colobus monkey was \u003cem\u003eAlbizia Schimeperiana\u003c/em\u003e, (33.2%), \u003cem\u003eApodytes\u0026nbsp;dimidiate\u003c/em\u003e(12.8%), \u003cem\u003eDodonaea\u0026nbsp;Angustifolia\u003c/em\u003e(11.1 %) \u0026nbsp;and \u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eSchefflera\u0026nbsp;abyssinica\u003c/em\u003e\u0026nbsp; (8.4%),these contributed a total of 77 % of their diet, However, the variation in the types of plant species consumed in the study period showed a significance difference (\u0026chi;2\u0026nbsp;\u003csub\u003e=\u003c/sub\u003e49\u003csup\u003e\u0026nbsp;,\u003c/sup\u003edf\u003csub\u003e=\u003c/sub\u003e1 ,p\u003csub\u003e=\u003c/sub\u003e0.05) between dry and wet seasons (Table 5).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe ranging ecology of Colobus monkey in the study area was characterized by the daily travel distance of the species. In the study period, the daily travel distance of Colobus monkey was vary from season to season. The highest daily range length was 232 m in the dry season while the shortest range length was 181 m in the wet season. The shortest range length in wet season might be associated with high amount of rainfall and excess food availability in the area. However, high range length in the dry season might be associated with in search of food as compared to the wet season. Similarly, Petros \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e (2018) had reported that daily range length of colobus in dry season was 248.7 m in Bale Mountains National Park, which was almost similar to the present study in Khatasa Forest. In addition, he had also reported that Colobus monkey day-range length was strongly associated with the availability of food resources.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the present study, daily travel range was not only varied among seasons but also vary from one habitat to another habitat type in both dry and wet seasons. The highest daily range length was observed in plantation forest (315m and 290 m) in dry and wet season, respectively. This could be related with the homogeneity of the habitat type in species diversity\u003cem\u003e; i.e.\u003c/em\u003e feed-in variability pushes them to cover relatively highest range length than another habitat types. In addition, Petros \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2018) had reported a similar daily range length of colobus monkey in Bale Mountains National Park that was associated with food resources availability of the species.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this study, total estimated home range size of colobus monkey in Khatasa Forest was significantly varied from season to season\u0026nbsp;(0.0152 km\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e) and (0.00148 km\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e) in dry and wet seasons, respectively. The variation might be related to the availability of food resource and different climatic factor such as high rain fall and perception push them to forging in small area and restricted around the area where the major plant species is presented. Similarly,\u0026nbsp;Dunham (2017) and Bocian (1997) had reported that forest composition and food availability differed greatly among the home ranges of the colobus monkey, so, home range of the species was determined by the proportion of density of food species, i.e the lower tree species and lower food availability.\u0026nbsp;Moreover,\u0026nbsp;Dunbar (1987) had also reported that the home range area usage of colobus monkey in the forests of Diani Beach, Kenya was different in both dry and wet seasons. This was correlated with the variations in weather conditions as a determinant factor for their activity pattern and home range. In contrary, Fashing (2007) and Harris and Chapman 2007) had reported that Colobus monkey at both Kibale and Kakamega, variability in ranging patterns over time appears to be more related to the distribution of infrequently eaten food items that are spatially rare yet nutritionally important, like sodium-rich swamp plants or Eucalyptus bark. Similarly, Colobus monkey at Kakamega Forest covered relatively longer range and travelled more than 600 m and ventured far beyond the \u0026lsquo;normal\u0026rsquo; boundaries of their home range on excursions through intensely-defended areas of the ranges from other groups to reach their territory.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eColobus monkey consumed nearly15 different plant species throughout the study period. In the study area, the species spent more time in feeding. Among the plant species, \u003cem\u003eAlbizia Schimeperiana\u003c/em\u003e,\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eEkebergia capensis\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eApodytes dimidiata\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eDodonaea Angustifolia\u003c/em\u003e and\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;Schefflera abyssinica\u003c/em\u003e had contributed a total of 77 % of their diet. Similarly, Ibrahim \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e (2017) had reported the highest proportion of the diet by these plant species in Borena Sayent National Park. In addition, Dwyer (2011) had also reported that 72 tree species identified as a sources of food in Diani Forest, Kenya. However, Sefi and Mastewal (2021) had reported only 5 species of plant that were the highly consumed by colobus monkey out of the total of 19 plant species in Harenna Forest. Similarly, Fashing (2001) had reported that colobus monkeys spending more time in feeding on a few species such as \u003cem\u003eFicus exasperata\u003c/em\u003e from 32 tree species in Kakamega Forest, Kenya.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;In the present study,\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;Albizia Schimeperiana\u003c/em\u003e accounted the highest percentage contribution of the plant food items that followed by\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;Apodytes dimidiate\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eDodonaea Angustifolia\u003c/em\u003e, respectively. On average, Colobus monkeys feed on low plant species diversity as compared to other sites in Africa.\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eHoweve\u003cem\u003er, Albizia Schimeperiana, Apodytes dimidiata, Dodonaea angustifolia\u003c/em\u003e were the most frequently consumed food item during the present study in Khatasa Forest. Similarly, Fashing (2001) had reported that Colobus monkey appear to be adapted to feed on relatively few food species and to maintain a low dietary species diversity even in species-rich rain forest environments in the Kakamega Forest, Kenya.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusions","content":"\u003cp\u003eColobus monkeys are arboreal species that adapted to forest ecosystem, and their dietary niches make them highly vulnerable to forest fragmentation and degradation. This offers many potential opportunities for conservation. However, large-scale use of forest trees for local consumption and commercial purpose requires a science management plan to improve the local community\u0026rsquo;s livelihood and ensure sustainable use without significantly affecting the long-term survival of colobus monkeys in the area. We suggest that colobus monkeys could serve as a keystone species for conservation other species and the forest habitat itself. There is a high rate of forest habitat fragmentation, so protection will provide important habitat, increase fragment connectivity, and reduce the use of tree forest for timber product and other purposes. Hence, management strategies will also help to achieve and conserve other sympatric species in the area.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am grateful to the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Ecotourism Management, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia for logistical support during the research work. I would like to acknowledge the Primate Conservation Inc. (PCI) for its support this research project. I would also like to acknowledge Khatasa Protected Forest Authority for giving support and permission to carry out this research work in the protected forest.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSM conceived and wrote the proposal. Field data collection and analysis were completed by SM. EM contributed to the data analysis, organization and GIS mapping. The manuscript was drafted by SM and revised and polished by EM. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis research was granted by the Primate Conservation Inc. (PCI).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData availability\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data associated with the paper can be accessed under the consent of the corresponding author (s) on reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting Interest\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnderson, J., Cowlishaw, G. and Rowcliffe, J. 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Available at: www.iucnredlist.com.,2008.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMargaret, M, Factors Influencing Population and Interspecific Interaction of three Primates in south Nandi Forest, Kenya.MSc, Natural Resources Management Degree of Egerton University, 2017,105.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMekonnen, A., Fashing, P.J., Bekele, A., Stenseth, N.C. Distribution and conservation status of Boutourlini\u0026rsquo;s blue monkey (Cerco pithecus mitis boutourlinii), a Vulnerable subspecies endemic to western Ethiopia. Primates, 2020 (61):785\u0026ndash;796.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMekonen, A., Fashing, P. J., Bekele, A., Hernandez Aguilar, R. A., Rueness, E. K., Nguyen, N., \u0026amp; Stenseth, N. C., Impacts of habitat loss and fragmentation on the activity budget, ranging ecology and habitat use of Bale monkeys (Chlorocebus djamdjamensis) in the southern Ethiopian Highlands. American Journal of Primatology, 2017 (79), e22644.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMekonnen, M., Sewent, T., Gebyehu, M., Azene, B. and M. Assefa, GIS and remote sensing-based Forest resource assessment, quantification and mapping in Amhara Region, Ethiopia International publishing switzerland hydrological processes in varied climate springer geography, Springer International Publishing , 2016: DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-18787-72.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMekonen, A., Bekele, A., Fashing, P. J., Hemson, G., \u0026amp; Atickem, A., Diet, activity patterns, and ranging ecology of the Bale monkey (Chlorocebus djamdjamensis) in Odobullu Forest, Ethiopia. International Journal of Primatology, 2010 (31), 339\u0026ndash;362.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOates, J. The guereza and its food. In Clutton Brock TH, editor. Primate Ecology: studies of feeding and ranging behavior in Lemurs, Monkeys and Apes.New York: Academic Press, 1977: 275-321.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePetros, I., Mekonen, S. Gena , H.and Mesfin, Y. Feeding and Ranging ecology of Colobus guereza gallarum in Bale Mountains National Park, Southeast Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eJ. Biodiv. Endan\u003c/em\u003e., 2018 DOI: 10.4172/2332-2543.S2-007.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRothman, J. M., Plumptre, A. J., Dierenfeld, E. and Pell, A, N. Nutritional composition of the diet of the gorilla (Gorilla beringei): a comparison between two montane habitats. \u003cem\u003eJ Trop Ecol\u003c/em\u003e. 2007 (23):673\u0026ndash;682.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSefi, M. and Mastewal, H., Population Size, Group Composition and Feeding Ecology of the Endemic and Endangered Colobus guereza gallarum in Harenna Forest, Harenna Buluk District, South East Ethiopia, 2021:70-71.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShumet, F. and Yihunie, M., Population Status, Feeding Ecology and Activity Pattern of colobus monkey (Colobus guereza) in Finote Selam Forest, West Gojjam, Ethiopia, \u003cem\u003eWorld Journal of Zoology\u003c/em\u003e, 2017 (12): 07-13.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSilvertown, J. W. Introduction to plant population ecology, second edition. New York: Longman. 1987\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmith, D. A. E., Smith, Y. C. E., \u0026amp; Cheyne, S. M., Home-range use and activity patterns of the red langur (Presbytis rubicunda) in Sabangau tropical peat swamp forest, central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. International Journal of Primatology, 2013 (34) 957- 972.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSnaitha, T. V.,and Chapman, C. A. Red colobus monkeys display alternative behavioral responses to the costs of scramble competition, 2008,doi:10.1093/beheco/arn076.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTesfaye, D., Fashing, P. J., Meshesha, A. A., Bekele, A., \u0026amp; Stenseth, N. C. Feeding ecology of the Omo River guereza (Colobus guereza guereza) in habitats with varying levels of fragmentation and disturbance in the southern Ethiopian Highlands. \u003cem\u003eInternational Journal of Primatology\u003c/em\u003e, 2021(42), 64-88.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWasserman, M.D., Chapman, C.A. Determinants of colobine Monkey abundance: the importance of food energy, protein and fiber content. \u003cem\u003eJ. Anim. Ecol\u003c/em\u003e.2003 (72):650\u0026ndash;659.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWijtten, Z., Hankinson, E., Pellissier, T., Nuttall, M., \u0026amp; Lemarkat, R., Activity budgets of Peters\u0026rsquo; Angola black-and-white colobus (Colobus angolensis palliatus) in an East African coastal forest. \u003cem\u003eAfrican Primates\u003c/em\u003e, 2012 (7), 203-210.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWong, S. N. P. and Sicotte, P. Activity Budget and Ranging Patterns of \u003cem\u003eColobus vellerosus\u003c/em\u003e in Forest Fragments in Central Ghana, \u003cem\u003eFolia Primatologica\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e,\u003c/em\u003e 2007, 78(4):245-54.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZhou, Q., Tang, X., Huang, H., \u0026amp; Huang, C. Factors affecting the ranging behavior of white headed langurs (Trachypithecus leucocephalus). International Journal of Primatology, 2011 (32), 511\u0026ndash;523.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZhou, Q., Wei, H., Huang, Z., Krzton, A., and Huang, C. Ranging behavior and habitat use of the Assamese macaque (Macaca assamensis) in limestone habitats of Nonggang, 2013.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"},{"header":"Tables","content":"\u003cp\u003eTable 1. Daily range length of colobus monkey in different habitat.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv align=\"\"\u003e\n \u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"5\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Daily rang lengths of C. monkey in dry and wet seasons\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSeasons\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHabitat type\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 30px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal\u0026nbsp;distance\u0026nbsp;in (m)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStd. Error\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean(m)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDry season\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDAF\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 30px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1781\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.41\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e222.63\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRF\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 30px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e694\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e34.59\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e231.33\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePF\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 30px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e315\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e315\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 30px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2790\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.93\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e232\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWet season\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDAF\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 30px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1226\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.221\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e175.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRF\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 30px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e665\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17.021\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e166.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePF\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 30px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e290\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e290\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 30px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2181\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.091\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e181.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNB:-DAF: dry afromontane forest, RF: riverine forest, PF: plantation forest.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"_Toc94606426\"\u003eTable 2. Tukey HSD multiple compression of effect of study habitat on the daily rang length of \u0026nbsp; colobus monkey\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 82px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(I)habitat\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(j)habitat\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean difference\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStd. error\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003esig\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 171px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e95% confidence interval\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 82px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDAF\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRF\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.324\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.158\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.942\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-41.96\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e54.61\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 82px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePF\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-102.033*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31.506\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.011\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-181.45\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-22.62\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 82px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRF\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDAF\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-6.324\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.158\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.942\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-54.61\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e41.96\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 82px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePF\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-108.357*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33.557\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.011\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-192.94\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-23.77\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 82px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePF\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDAF\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e102.033*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31.506\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.011\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22.62\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e181.45\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 82px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRF\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e108.357*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33.557\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.011\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23.77\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e192.94\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*. The mean difference is significant at the 0.05 level.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"_Toc94606427\"\u003eTable 3. Mean daily range length of colobus monkey during dry and wet season\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMonthly recorded\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSession\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal travel distance in(m)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStd. error\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 117px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean(m)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDry season\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e892\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 117px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e223\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e773\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.09\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 117px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e193.25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1125\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16.33\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 117px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e281.25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003etotal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2,790\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36.57\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 117px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e232.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e782\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 117px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e195.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWet season\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e588\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.45\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 117px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e147\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e811\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29.17\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 117px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e202.75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003etotal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2,181\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 126px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e45.76\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 117px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e181.75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;NB :- session 1: January, session 2: February, session 3: March, Session 4:Jun , session 5: July, \u0026nbsp;session 6: August.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;4.\u0026nbsp;Estimated\u0026nbsp;home\u0026nbsp;range\u0026nbsp;size\u0026nbsp;in (km\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e) of Khatasa Forest\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\" class=\"fr-table-selection-hover\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 25px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMethod\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 37px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e% Data point\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 37px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eArea estimated(km\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"4\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 25px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; Kernel density\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDry season\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWet season\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDry season\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWet season\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.00214\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.00034\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.00718\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.00083\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e47\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0059\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.00031\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"_Toc94606422\"\u003eTable 5. Percentage of plant species consumed by colobus monkey in dry and wet seasons\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 4px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLocal name\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSpecies name\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFamily\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLife form\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePart consumed\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 29px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e% of contribution\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDry \u0026nbsp;season\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWet season\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 4px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDong\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eApodytes dimidiate\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIcacinaceae\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYL,ML,FR\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 4px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLol\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEkebergia capensis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMeliaceae\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYL,ML,SH\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 4px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eShola\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFicus sur croton\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMoraceae\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYL,FR\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.45\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 4px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBesana\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMacro stachus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEuphorbiaceae\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFR\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 4px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTid\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eJuniperus procera\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCupressaceae\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFR,BR\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 4px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSesa\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAlbizia Schimeperi\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFabaceae\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYL,SH,FR\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 4px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eKeteketa\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDodonaea angustif\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSapindaceae\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYL,FR\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 4px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eKimo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRhus glutinosa\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eanacardiaceae\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYL,FR\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.35\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 4px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWelekefa\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDombeya torrida\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSterculiaceae\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBR\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 4px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eShenbko\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eArundo donax\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePoaceae\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 4px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAvalo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBrucea antidysenterica\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003esimaroubaceae\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 4px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGitem\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSchefflera abyssinica\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAraliaceae\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYL,FR\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 4px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eKulkual\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOpuntia ficusindica\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCactaceae\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFR\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 4px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCheba\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAcacia nilotica\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFabaceae\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYL,FR\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 4px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtete\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMaytenus gracilipes\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCelasteraceae\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eShr\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.35\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNB:\u003c/strong\u003e - YL: young leaves, ML: mature leaves, SH: shoot, FR: fruit, FL: flower, BK: bark, RT: root\u003c/p\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-zoology","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"bzoo","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Zoology](http://bmczool.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/bzoo/default.aspx","title":"BMC Zoology","twitterHandle":"@BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"/Phrases: Colobus monkey, forest, home range, habitat use, seasonal variations","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7640918/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7640918/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eKhatasa Protected Forest is one of the protected forests found in Awi Zone, Amhara Regional State that has been protected since 1994. The study on home range and habitat use of Colobus monkey (\u003cem\u003eColobus guereza\u003c/em\u003e) was carried out from January 2021 to August 2021. For this purpose, ranging data were collected from the focal animal group, and following for continuous periods at regular intervals of 10 minutes. This study was carried out in combination with feeding and habitat use of focal animal samples. During the observation of focal animals in each group, location of troops were recorded using GPS in every 10 min until the follow was concluded. The values from the map were calculated by using measuring tools in the GIS software ArcGIS 10.8. Data on habitat use and feeding were collected in using a scan sampling starting from early morning 7:00 to 12:00 h and in the afternoon from 14:00 to 18:00 h throughout study period. The ranging ecology of Colobus monkey in the study area was characterized by a mean daily range length of (207.13 m, SE\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;10.14) in the study. The highest mean daily range length was recorded during the dry season mainly in March (281m, SE\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;16.33) while the lowest mean daily range length was recorded during the wet season mainly in July (147m, SE\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.45). In regarding to habitat use/feeding, colobus consumed nearly 15 plant species in Khatasa Protected Forest. Among the plant species \u003cem\u003eAlbizia Schimeperiana\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eApodytes dimidiate\u003c/em\u003e had contributed to high proportion of the diet of Colobus monkey, which were (33.25%) and (12.85%), respectively. The variation in type of plant species consumed in the study period showed a significance difference (χ2\u003csub\u003e=\u003c/sub\u003e49, df\u003csub\u003e=\u003c/sub\u003e1, p\u003csub\u003e=\u003c/sub\u003e0.05) between dry and wet seasons. Determine the ranging and feeding ecology of Colobus monkey in dry and wet seasons in this protected area would enable to take conservation actions.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Home range and Habitat use of Black and White Colobus Monkey (Colobus guereza guereza) in Khatasa Protected Forest, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-11-04 01:28:00","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7640918/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-01-06T13:06:12+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-12-15T10:58:02+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-11-22T20:40:26+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"311010312826948884400916477962601265007","date":"2025-11-18T05:28:49+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"167835361669357918938748025868727991388","date":"2025-10-25T03:38:19+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-10-23T01:31:00+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2025-10-21T13:09:59+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-09-18T05:33:54+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-09-18T05:32:45+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"BMC Zoology","date":"2025-09-17T13:38:49+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-zoology","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"bzoo","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Zoology](http://bmczool.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/bzoo/default.aspx","title":"BMC Zoology","twitterHandle":"@BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"af86da82-df8c-4d88-be08-8f4ebbff0233","owner":[],"postedDate":"November 4th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-03-02T16:06:47+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-7640918","link":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40850-026-00258-2","journal":{"identity":"bmc-zoology","isVorOnly":false,"title":"BMC Zoology"},"publishedOn":"2026-02-25 15:59:36","publishedOnDateReadable":"February 25th, 2026"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-11-04 01:28:00","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1186/s40850-026-00258-2","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40850-026-00258-2","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7640918","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7640918","identity":"rs-7640918","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}