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Grivet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops) are restricted to fragmented forests where food and space are limiting factors. The study investigated the feeding and activity patterns of grivet monkeys in Batiero Church Forest, northern Ethiopia, using focal and scan sampling techniques. Both focal and scan animal sessions lasted 15 min, with 5 min rest intervals between sessions. During the early dry season, grivet monkeys mainly fed on Acacia sieberiana (26.5%) and Juniperus procera (17.5%). Dry season food selection was significantly different, J. procera (20.5%), Acacia mearnsii (15.6%), A. sieberiana (14.2%), and Cyperus bulbosus (12.7%). The predominant plant parts eaten were seeds (42.6% and 33.3% in early dry and dry seasons, respectively) followed by leaves (34.5% and 22.5% in early dry and dry seasons, respectively). The activity patterns showed no significant seasonal variation, and the most frequent activity was feeding (33.3% and 32.6%, in early dry and dry seasons, respectively). The preferred food source tree species are threatened, and the survival of the grivet monkeys depends on the conservation of indigenous plants and trees.

The Ethiopian Highlands are divided by lowland biogeographic barriers, including the Blue Nile Valley (BNV) and Great Rift Valley (GRV). We show that the GRV is a more pronounced phylogeographic break than the BNV for 6 focal passerines. Previous research suggests that the BNV greatly shaped phylogeographic patterns in relatively sedentary montane taxa such as frogs and rodents, whereas the GRV shaped phylogeographic patterns in volant taxa such as birds. However, no previous research simultaneously compares the impact of each valley on phylogeographic patterns in birds, and as these barriers vary in geographic extent and topography, the relative extent of their effects on gene flow is unclear. Using whole-genome resequencing, we quantified genetic variation in 6 montane forest passerines in the Ethiopian Highlands and found that their phylogeographic patterns varied, with general trends distinct from those of taxa that were previously studied across the same barriers. Genetic variation was assessed by estimating genome-wide genetic diversity (H O), demographic history, phylogeographic structure, and phylogeographic concordance among taxa. Population pairs flanking the GRV showed higher F ST and more distinct population clusters in principal component analysis than those separated by the BNV. H O was broadly consistent across populations, excluding noticeable reductions in 2 populations (1 population each in 2 separate species). The overall phylogenetic signature and concordance across study taxa supported populations separated by the BNV as sister and populations southeast of the GRV as most distinct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analyses of Plio-Pleistocene speciation processes in the Horn of Africa are relevant for understanding the evolution of biodiversity patterns of this understudied part of the world. Here we analyse comprehensive genomic and morphological data of the recently delimited murid genus Ochromyscus , one of the few with Afro-Arabian distribution. Using an integrative taxonomic approach, we delimit three species in the genus: two in eastern Africa (O. brockmani and O. niveiventris) and one in southern Arabia (O. yemeni), and detail their distribution, genetic structure, and evolutionary history. Despite their morphological similarity, the three species split before the Pleistocene, and their interspecific genetic divergence level is comparable to that between sister genera of murine rodents. The split between two taxa living on opposite sides of the Red Sea (O. brockmani vs. O. yemeni) is younger than the separation of their ancestor and O. niveiventris living in eastern Africa. The colonization of Arabia can be explained either by the presence of a relatively recent continental bridge or by the past occurrence of the genus along the eastern coast of the Red Sea and subsequent spreading through the Sinai Peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rodents comprise around half of all mammalian species, showcasing their remarkable adaptability to thrive in almost all terrestrial habitats. Their evolutionary success is exemplified by a wide range of morphological features reflecting various feeding and locomotory adaptations. This study examines the functional variation in cranial and mandibular traits as well as locomotion indices in rodent communities within the high-altitude Afroalpine environment of the Ethiopian Highlands. The findings reveal two distinct patterns in cranial and mandibular traits. One pattern is associated with dietary differences, distinguishing the primarily herbivorous species Otomys helleri, Arvicanthis abyssinicus and Lophuromys melanonyx, which are characterised by relatively long molar rows, massive mandibles, and likely enhanced bite force, from the generally omnivorous genus Stenocephalemys and the more faunivorous Lophuromys flavopunctatus. The second pattern indicates that species in the Afroalpine ecosystem have adapted to life in distinct habitats across different elevational zones. Species from the highest elevational zones within the genera Stenocephalemys and Lophuromys exhibit convergent morphological adaptations for life in open habitats, characterised by their larger size, narrower interorbital constriction, and larger orbits. Regarding locomotion, our study emphasises the unique morphology of Otomys, which is characterised by equally long forelimbs and hindlimbs. This corresponds to its predominant fast quadrupedal running. In contrast, Stenocephalemys species are likely to rely more on saltatory locomotion. Among them, the forest-dwelling S. albipes likely demonstrates the most advanced form of this locomotory style. The study highlights significant functional diversification in rodent assemblages from the Ethiopian Highlands, primarily driven by foraging and locomotor ecologies. This morphological variation has likely contributed to shaping the rich rodent communities integral to the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot, globally recognized for its significance in mammal endemism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Montemys delectorum is the only member of the genus Montemys within the family Muridae, which is an endemic rodent of the Eastern Africa Highlands. It is a threatened species due to habitat loss, and its current conservation status is uncertain. We studied the breeding pattern and population size of M. delectorum, two of the most important factors in understanding the conservation status of a species. Capture-mark-release studies were conducted from February 2021 to June 2022 in open patchy forests and dense forest habitats. Montemys delectorum showed bimodal breeding seasonality: a low rate for the short interval between December and February and a pronounced rate for May-July, following the high rainfall in April. This shows that rainfall promotes vegetation availability, which stimulates breeding activity and adds offspring to the population, resulting in increased population abundance. The population of M. delectorum is not stable in this landscape, as indicated by the significant differences in population size between the two forest types, with a significantly greater population in the patchy open forest. This indicates that the patchy open forest should be considered an essential refuge for the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ethiopian Highlands represent one of the most important centres of endemism on Earth. Six endemic species of laminate-toothed rats have been reported from Ethiopia in a previous study based mostly on morphological analyses. Largely missing genetic data for some of the species, insufficient sampling across Ethiopia, and presence of a pseudogene on cytochrome b created knowledge gaps in basic taxonomy, distribution, and phylogenetic position of the Ethiopian taxa. Here we perform an integrative taxonomic revision of the group by using the largest available sets of genomic and morphological data. We first reconstructed the mitochondrial phylogeny of the whole genus, delimited major clades, and evidenced two independent colonization events of Otomys to Ethiopia. By using genome-scale SNPs, we delimited putative Ethiopian species and analysed their phylogenetic relationships. In genetically characterized specimens we assessed morphological variation of skulls. We confirmed the presence of six previously reported species and significantly extended the known distributional range for some of them. Furthermore, we discovered a genetically and morphologically distinct lineage in northern Ethiopia, probably representing a new species. The speciation processes are similar to other Afromontane Ethiopian endemic rodent clades, with prevailing allopatric diversification combined with reticulate processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human–primate conflicts in Africa have been increasing due to increased human population growth and the resulting competition for forest resources. The Ethiopian Highlands in northern Ethiopia, home to the grivet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops), once consisted of large forested areas. This region has been severely denuded and now exhibits only small forest patches remaining at sites with special cultural significance in the immediate vicinity of churches. These forest patches, surrounded by agricultural crops, provide refugia habitat for the grivet monkey. We randomly surveyed 50 villagers living near the Batiero Church Forest, a 45-ha forest patch located in northern Ethiopia, to determine villagers’ perceptions of the crop damage caused by the monkeys and mitigation measures to reduce crop loss. Most respondents expressed negative perceptions (74%) toward grivet monkeys, and 50% of respondents reported that crop damage was the most encountered problem in the study area. The perception of villagers to grivet monkeys differed based on farmland size (P = 0.00). To reduce crop damage, 53% of households used dogs to guard their farmland and 44% employed methods to physically scare or harass monkeys to protect their crops. At present, the villagers do not receive any government compensation for crop depredation. Thus, the villagers we surveyed wanted to eliminate the grivet monkey populations. This study provided insight into villager perception regarding human–primate conflicts that can impact primate conservation efforts in other areas where human encroachment into primate habitats is increasing.

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This study was conducted with the main objective of identifying the opportunities and challenges of Community-Based Tourism (CBT) development in Southern Tigray, Ethiopia. Eight potential tourist destinations were identified based on a set of a priori inclusion criteria. Primary data were collected from 153 households among residents of the potential sites, and key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted. While residents’ positive outlook towards tourism development and willingness to host tourists, fair availability of infrastructure, and rich eco-tourism potential were identified as the major opportunities for CBT development in the area, weak tourism marketing, limited accommodation facilities, and limited community awareness were identified as the major challenges. Despite the challenges contributing to the low level of CBT development, we show that the Southern Tigray is an area with a remarkable eco-tourism potential that could be exploited using a sustainable CBT model to the benefit of the local economy. Hence, stakeholders in the tourism development sector should work with local communities to utilize this untapped potential [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]