Feeding ecology of olive baboons (Papio anubis) in Kibale National Park, Uganda: preliminary results on diet and food selection

摘要

Essential to an understanding of the ecology of any organism is knowledge of nutritional aspects of their diet, as adequate nutrition is critical for successful reproduction (Barboza, Parker & Hume, 2009). While the feeding and nutritional ecology of baboons (Papio) has been widely documented (Norton et al., 1987; Whiten et al., 1991; Barton et al., 1993; Byrne et al., 1993; Altmann, 1998; Kunz & Linsenmair, 2008; Swedell, Hailemeskel & Schreier, 2008; Bentley-Condit, 2009), most research on olive baboons (P. anubis) has focused on savannahdwelling populations, with comparatively little research in forested habitat (Rowell, 1966, 1969; Okecha & Newton-Fisher, 2006; Paterson, 2006; Ross et al., 2011). Here, we report preliminary results on diet and nutritional ecology of forest-dwelling olive baboons in Kibale National Park, Uganda. Additionally, we report a preliminary assessment of the baboons’ nutritional objectives by comparing the nutrient content of consumed foods with that of parts rejected in food preparation. Food selectivity in olive baboons has been previously studied by Barton & Whiten (1994), who compared the nutrient content of seven matched foods and discarded nonfoods in savannah-dwelling olive baboons, and found foods to be higher in protein and lower in both bre and phenolics than nonfoods. Here, we report preliminary results on food choice in forest-dwelling olive baboons to further elucidate macronutrient properties governing diet selection in this species.