Global Ecology and Conservation (Nov 2023)
The mystery of gelada (Theropithecus gelada) survival and adaptation in the highly anthropogenically-modified landscapes in the Ethiopian Highlands: A review
Abstract
Currently, most terrestrial ecosystems are altered by human activities. As a consequence of land-use change, many primate species inhabit human-modified landscapes. However, our understanding of primate behavioral flexibility and adaptation mechanism and the degree to which it will enable primates to survive along local people in the long term remains limited. Understanding the survival and persistence mechanisms of primates in mosaic agriculture and human settlement landscapes is essential for their conservation. Geladas (Theropithecus gelada) are diurnal and highly social primates endemic to Ethiopia. Currently, most gelada populations exist in grassland fragments surrounded by mosaic agriculture and human settlement landscapes. They are one of the best examples of primate commensalism with humans. According to the IUCN Red List, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) although their numbers are decreasing. Here, I review the key adaptation mechanisms underlying the survival of geladas in human-modified landscapes. Use of both aboveground and underground diet items upon seasonal requirements, social grouping pattern/dynamicity, cliff animal, feeding time adjustment, terrestriality, occupancy of wide altitudinal ranges, and utilizing energy-rich crops are the main adaptive strategies of geladas to survive in highly human-modified landscapes of the Ethiopian Highlands. Understanding the adaptive mechanisms of geladas in human-modified landscapes will contribute to a better contextualization of how changing habitats shape the behavioral ecology and evolution of primate species. I recommend that future research should explore the conservation value of human-modified landscapes for the survival of geladas and other primate species.
