DIVERSITY AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF NON-HUMAN PRIMATES IN TOGO’S FOREST ZONE AND ECOLOGICAL ZONE II

The diversity and study of the spatial distribution of non-human primate populations is a research priority in Togo because of the ever-increasing anthropogenic threats to their natural habitat. To analyse their diversity and spatial distribution, investigations and pedestrian surveys were carried out in Togo's forest zone and ecological zone II. In the protected areas of the study area, the count was done along poachers' trails due to the lack of developed trails. Information relating to their numbers, geographical coordinates, their activity and the distance of their observation were reported on an inventory sheet. The data collected was processed using the Ms Excel 2015 spreadsheet and R software version 3.1.3. The free software Qgis 3.10 was used for spatialization of the distribution of all nonhuman primates counted. The classical method of counting (recce) was associated with the photographic trapping technique (collection of data by camera trap) for the census and estimation of the numbers of non-human primate populations, particularly in the Fazao-Malfakassa National Park (PNFM). A total of nine (09) out of eleven non-human primate species currently present in Togo have been identified and 724 individuals of all species have been counted in the study area. Beyond the encroachment and encroachment of these protected areas and the associated ecosystems of the forest zone and ecological zone II, many other threats have been regularly observed. Poaching comes first, followed by habitat destruction and disturbance due to human activities such as agriculture, transhumance and logging. The non-human primate community is therefore in real danger of extinction in Togo if appropriate actions are not taken in time to preserve them.