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Population structure and distribution of geladas (Theropithicus gelada, Ruppell1835) in Kotu Forest, Northern Ethiopia
  • Degu Abate,
  • Zerihun Girma
Degu Abate
Mekidela Amba University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Zerihun Girma
Hawassa University
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Abstract

The populations of the endemic gelada outside protected areas are less studied and population estimates are not available. As a result, a study was conducted to investigate population structure and distribution of geladas in Kotu forest and associated grasslands, in Northern Ethiopia. The study area was stratified into five habitats namely; grassland, wooded grassland, plantation forest, natural forest and bushland based on dominant vegetation type. Each habitat type was further divided into blocks and total counting technique was employed to count the individuals of geladas. The total mean number of gelada in the Kotu forest was 229 ± 6.11. The mean ratio of male to female was 1:1.178. Age composition of geladas comprised: 113 (49.34%) adults, 77 (33.62%) sub adults and 39 (17.03%) juveniles. The mean group size of gelada was 18± 2.0, out of which 2.5± 0.5 (13.89%) was all- male unit (AMU) and 15.5± 1.5 (86.11%) was one male unit (OMU) social system. The average band size was 45.0± 2.53. The highest number of geladas was recorded from grassland habitat 68 (29.87%) and the lowest from plantation forest habitat 34 (14.74%). Even though, the sex ratio was female biased, the proportion of juveniles to other age classes was very low, indicating negative consequences for the future viability of the gelada populations in the area. Geladas were widely distributed over open grassland habitat. For sustainable conservation of the geladas in the area there is a need for integrated management of the area with special attention on the conservation of the grassland habitat.
06 Dec 2020Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
09 Dec 2020Submission Checks Completed
09 Dec 2020Assigned to Editor
23 Feb 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
11 Mar 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
29 Mar 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
30 May 20221st Revision Received
30 May 2022Submission Checks Completed
30 May 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
30 May 2022Assigned to Editor
31 May 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
24 Jun 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
26 Aug 20222nd Revision Received
27 Aug 2022Submission Checks Completed
27 Aug 2022Assigned to Editor
27 Aug 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
13 Sep 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
09 Oct 20223rd Revision Received
10 Oct 2022Submission Checks Completed
10 Oct 2022Assigned to Editor
10 Oct 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
20 Oct 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
11 Nov 20224th Revision Received
12 Nov 2022Submission Checks Completed
12 Nov 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
12 Nov 2022Assigned to Editor
25 Nov 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
19 Dec 20225th Revision Received
20 Dec 2022Submission Checks Completed
20 Dec 2022Assigned to Editor
20 Dec 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
04 Jan 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
09 Feb 20236th Revision Received
10 Feb 2023Submission Checks Completed
10 Feb 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Feb 2023Assigned to Editor
20 Feb 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
24 Mar 20237th Revision Received
27 Mar 2023Submission Checks Completed
27 Mar 2023Assigned to Editor
27 Mar 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
11 Apr 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
06 May 20238th Revision Received
08 May 2023Assigned to Editor
08 May 2023Submission Checks Completed
08 May 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 May 2023Editorial Decision: Accept