Group Composition in Wild and Commensal Hamadryas Baboons - a Comparative-Study in Saudi-Arabia

WOS:A1992JP06000003International audiencePapio hamadryas was surveyed throughout its range in Saudi Arabia and was observed at altitudes ranging from 0 to 2300 m. Wild populations occur along the whole range of altitude, while commensal populations are only found above 850 m altitude. No variation in group size was found with altitude. Comparison of wild and commensal populations showed the following. (1) Their composition in terms of age and sex classes, overall adult sex ratios, and group size does not significantly differ. (2) Groups of both populations include, in similar proportions, three types of parties: one-male units (\textgreater70%), two-male units (\textgreater13%), and a few other units of variable composition. (3) The mean size of commensal parties is significantly larger than in the wild population; specifically one-male units are larger in the commensal population due to a larger number of females per male. Thus, female distribution in commensal groups is more inequitable than that in wild groups. (4) Finally, the number of females included in two-male units increases with altitude. These differences are discussed in terms of food availability and predator pressure and are compared with results obtained on other Arabian and Ethiopian populations

The Distribution of Papio-Hamadryas in Saudi-Arabia - Ecological Correlates and Human Influence

WOS:A1992JA86200001International audienceWe describe the distribution of Papio hamadryas in Saudi Arabia in relation to ecological constraints and recent changes in human activities and land use. Baboons are present only in the Sarawat and southern Hijaz mountains, which border the Red Sea in the southwestern region of the country. Our distribution data confirms that their range, described as of 1981, should be extended 200 km northward, from 21-degrees-40N (Taif) to 23-degrees-20N (Al Akhal). This new limit of range is not due to recent deployment of the baboons, but instead corrects inaccurate surveys by previous reporters. Ecological factors that affect baboon distribution include low annual rainfall (less than 100 mm per yr), which limits baboon range in the north and east, and the absence of suitable sleeping cliffs in the coastal plain, which limits their range in the west. Relative abundance is discussed in relation to vegetation and predator distribution. Human influence is also significant: commensal troops persist near urban centers, while agricultural development reduces baboon numbers in some regions. Habitat characteristics are discussed in comparison with similar data on the range of hamadryas in Ethiopia

The response of commensal Hamadryas baboons to seasonal reduction in food provisioning

On top of the scenic escarpment road of A1 Hada, people regularly feed baboons and members of a large troop of Papio hamadryas developed commensal habits, waiting for handouts beside the road. Alarmed by the increasing baboon number, local authorities wish to control the troop’s enlargement. A direct solution to prevent the troop’s growth would be to forbid people to feed baboons. However, both the sufficiency of natural vegetation and the ability of the troop to return to feeding on natural resources is uncertain. The response of baboons to a reduced provisioning was studied when the road was closed for maintenance during winter. We compared the relative share of natural vegetation and handouts in the troop’s diet along the year and monitored range use in relation to food availability. The main effects of handout reduction were the enlargement of daily range combined with relocation and diversification of sleeping sites, the troop splitting into small sleeping groups. Baboons switched easily to a natural diet. Numerous plant species were consumed, but the Juniper species typical of these elevations were the most commonly selected. The results show the feasability and efficiency of the reduction of food provision in managing such commensal groups living partially from human handouts.En haut de la falaise de Al Hada, les automobilistes de passage nourrissent quotidiennement les babouins et une grande troupe de Papio hamadryas vit principalement de cette manne. La croissance de cette troupe de singes commensaux préoccupe les autorités locales qui aimeraient en limiter l’effectif. La solution la plus directe serait l’interdiction de nourrir les animaux, poussant ainsi les babouins à exploiter la végétation naturelle, mais la qualité des ressources naturelles et la capacité des babouins à les utiliser restent incertaines. La réponse à une réduction de l’apport alimentaire a été étudiée pendant que la route était fermée pour réparation en hiver. Nous avons comparé au cours de l’année la répartition de l’alimentation de la troupe entre nourriture naturelle et nourriture d’origine humaine ainsi que les variations du trajet en fonction des disponibilités alimentaires. Les effets principaux de la réduction de l’apport de nourriture sont l’accroissement du trajet quotidien, accompagné de la relocalisation et de la diversification des sites de sommeil. La troupe se divise aussi en groupes plus petits. Les babouins s’adaptent facilement à un régime naturel et consomment de nombreuses plantes. Les genévriers (Juniperus excelsa et Juniperus phoenicea), dominants sur le site, sont l’élément majeur du régime d’hiver. Les résultats montrent la faisabilité et l’efficacité de la réduction des apports alimentaires pour réduire la pression excercée par de telles groupes commensales sur les alentours de villes et des sites touristiques.Boug A., Biquand Sylvain, Biquand-Guyot Véronique, Kamal K. The response of commensal Hamadryas baboons to seasonal reduction in food provisioning. In: Revue d'Écologie (La Terre et La Vie), tome 49, n°3, 1994. pp. 307-319

The relationship between artificial food supply and natural food selection in two troops of commensal hamadryas baboons Papio hamadryas (Mammalia: Primates: Cercopithecidae) in Saudi Arabia

The Hamadryas Baboon is the only nonhuman primate to inhabit the Arabian Peninsula. In Saudi Arabia, Hamadryas Baboons are known to rely on both human and natural plant foods. We examined the relationship between artificial food supply and natural food selection in two commensal hamadryas troops in different habitats in Saudi Arabia. Alhada had richer vegetation, while the Dam Site featured ground vegetation heavily damaged by overgrazing. The baboons\u27 diets, including dependency on artificial foods, reflected the status of the natural habitat. The availability of fresh vegetation following significant rainfalls at both sites reduced the Baboons\u27 dependence on artificial foods. In the richer habitat, rainfall was significantly correlated with natural diet diversity and time spent feeding on natural foods. Both troops spent more time feeding during periods of high provisioning of artificial food, and the percentage of feeding on natural foods decreased when provisioning was high. The baboons fed on natural foods throughout the year despite the availability of human foods. We suggest the need for a nutritionally balanced diet has kept the baboons from becoming completely dependent on human foods. Effectively preserving natural vegetation should enable commensal baboons to spend more time feeding on natural foods, thereby reducing human-wildlife conflict

Diversity and Conservation of Bats in Saudi Arabia

The bats of Saudi Arabia consist of 30 species and 21 genera within 9 families (Pteropodidae, Rhinopomatidae, Rhinolophidae, Emballonuridae, Nycteridae, Hipposideridae, Miniopteridae, Molossidae, and Vespertilionidae). Some species have been recorded from only one locality: Epomophorus labiatus, Hipposideros megalotis and Asellia patrizii. The taxonomy of some species was updated. Details on the past and present distribution of the bats were included along with available data on their habitat preference and biology. An analysis of the bat fauna of Saudi Arabia revealed that they have six major zoogeographical affinities; Afrotropical (eight species), Saharo-Sindian (three species), Afrotropical-Palaearctic (four species), Palaearctic (four species), oriental (one species), and Afrotropical-oriental (two species). Asellia patrizii stands as an endemic species known only from Eretria, Ethiopia, and Farasan Island in Saudi Arabia, and Rhyneptesicus nasutus is considered as a Middle East endemic species with distribution confined to Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan, reaching as far as western Arabia. At least six more species are suspected to occur in Saudi Arabia, since they have been reported from neighboring Yemen. The threats to and conservation status of the bats of Saudi Arabia were highlighted