Population density of Tarsius supriatnai along a forest degradation gradient in Popayato-Paguat landscape (Gorontalo Province, Sulawesi) (original) (raw)

2021, Biodiversity, Biogeography and Nature Conservation in Wallacea and New Guinea, Vol. IV

Jatna's Tarsier Tarsius supriatnai Shekelle, Groves, Maryanto et Mittermeier, 2017 is a species of primitive primates described very recently from the western part of the Gorontalo Province in North Sulawesi (Shekelle et al. 2017). The main aim of the present study is to identify correlations between forest degradation and conversion and population densities of Jatna’s Tarsier in a typical forest edge to agricultural land transition area in Popayato Paguat landscape and provide ecological data about the species and its spatial distribution. The results show that Tarsius supriatnai is not entirely restricted to the secondary forest. As long as small particular remnants of natural vegetation remain in the landscape, tarsiers are found be able to persist, but their population densities are considerably lower. Average population densities on agricultural-agroforest area (1.22 individuals/ha) differ significantly from those within the secondary rainforest (5.37 individuals/ha). Moreover, average population densities at the study plots undergoing forest conversion (1.05 individuals/ha) differ significantly from those unaffected (5.65 individuals/ha) by rainforest degradation (4.07 individuals/ha). Regarding to the IUCN Red List assessment guidelines, we confirm the criterion "VU Vulnerable" for Tarsius supriatnai based on the results of the present study.