SOME ECO-ETHOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS OF THE RED-BELLIED CERCOPITHEQUE ZINKAKA Cercopithecus erythrogaster erythrogaster IN SOUTH BENIN

The red-bellied monkey Cercopithecus erythrogaster erythrogaster is a subspecies of endemic primate of the Dahomey Gap. It is locally named Zinkaka. The prospection in the 180 selected localities susceptible for shelter the monkey with red belly and the follow-up of the species in some habitats made it possible to know the ecology and the behavior of this primate. On the whole, 579 primates species observation were done. This species occurred in wetlands in three types of habitat which were: dense forests, gallery forests and in floodplains embraced the phytogeographical districts of southern Benin. The Lama Reserve forest in Southern Benin remained the largest habitat of the species with an estimated population of about 1300 individuals. The Oueme valley sheltered small populations of individuals in fragmented habitats of Togbota. The availability of food resources came from natural resources and agricultural crops nearby the species habitats. The red-bellied monkey partnered with other primate species such as the mona monkey in dense habitats including the Lama Reserve Forest and the Lokoli swamp forest. The eco-ethologic determinants for the durable conservation of Zinkaka in the South of Benin are the type of habitat, the wetlands, the abiotic factors (precipitation, relative humidity…), sociability, the food behavior and the spatiotemporel distribution With its small population, it is noted a drastic reduction of its area of occurrence (76 %) and it habitat fragmentation, especially in the Oueme valley. Being a species threatened of the Dahomey Gap, it is thus urgent that measurements adequate and appropriate essential to the conservation of Zinkaka in Benin.