The positional behavior and habitat use of six monkeys in the Tai Forest, Ivory Coast

The locomotion and posture of six monkeys (Colobus polykomos, Colobus badius, Colobus verus, Cercopithecus diana, Cercopithecus campbelli and Cercocebus atys) was studied in the Tai Forest, Ivory Coast. The extent that locomotion is influenced by forest architecture was evaluated by quantifying the relative number of supports in two forest types and relating these to each monkeys behavior in each habitat. Despite structural differences in the two habitats, the locomotor profiles of each species were remarkably similar across habitats. In four of five arboreal species, locomotor equivalence is maintained by active selection of preferred supports.; Relationships between locomotion, body size, maintenance activities, support, strata, and tree zone use were examined for each species. In cercopithecids, body size does not predict leaping or climbing frequencies. Colobines are the most frequent leapers. The most frequent climber was one of the smallest monkeys. The monkeys sort out vertically in the forest strata. However, some use the same strata for travel and foraging while others do not. Generally, larger monkeys frequent forest layers with larger substrates while smaller monkeys are more diverse in their individual locomotor strategies and canopy use. Among colobines, most leaping occurred in the main canopy. Climbing was more frequent during feeding and, with one exception, leaping was more common during travel. All species used locomotor behaviors and support types in different proportions during travel and feeding. Larger supports were used during travel while smaller supports were used during foraging.; Colobines were posturally distinct from cercopithecines. Sitting was the dominant posture in all monkeys. Colobines sat more than cercopithecines while cercopithecines stood quadrupedally more than colobines. Cercopithecines fed standing more than colobines who usually fed sitting. During resting, cercopithecines sat more than colobines who often adopted recumbent supine postures. Cercopithecines rarely reclined. Differences in posture and habitat use were related to species-specific foraging strategies.