Distribution and conservation status of catarrhine primates in Côte d'Ivoire (West Africa)

Abstract

Côte d'Ivoire holds 18 catarrhine taxa, with 3 endemic to Côte d'Ivoire and neighbouring Ghana. Nine of the taxa occurring in Côte d'Ivoire are listed as threatened at the global level. However, information on their conservation status within the country is available for only a limited number of taxa. In order to assess the current distribution of primates and their conservation status, we conducted foot surveys and interviews in protected forests in the southern part of Côte d'Ivoire. Our data suggest that 22 out of 23 surveyed forests have lost 25-100% of the primate taxa expected to occur in these areas. The only exception is the Taï National Park where all of the expected primate taxa were encountered. Based on our surveys, we propose an updated national list according to the IUCN Red List criteria for all diurnal primate species of Côte d'Ivoire.