Seasonal distribution of duikers in the different vegetation types of Taï National Park (Côte d’Ivoire)

Knowledge of species occurrence in a particular habitat and determining factors limiting its expansion are important in ecology and conservation planning. This study was carried out at Taï National Park, aims to determine the spatio-temporal distribution of duikers with a particular focus on seasonal habitat occupancy by duikers. We collected yearly data about species’ presence and their habitat of occurrence along 184 line transects of two kilometers each from 2005 to 2017. Each recorded duiker observation took into account habitat description. In total, seven sympatric species of duikers were observed with 1303 sightings of individuals. Significant differences are found between the monthly observation means of Cephalophus dorsalis (F = 2.7462, p = 0.0018) and Philantomba maxwelli (F = 3.031, p = 0.0006). For the other five species did find any difference, it is about Cephalophus jentinki (F = 1.6269, p = 0.0877), Cephalophus niger (F = 2.27, p = 0.01), Cephalophus ogilbyi (F = 0, 99, p = 0.45), Cephalophus silvicultor (F = 1.18, p = 0.29) and Cephalophus zebra (F = 1.81, p = 0.049). According to the canonical analysis of redundancy, it appears that Cephalophus niger and Cephalophus silvicultor were mainly observed in inselberg forests as well as in forests on hydromorphic soils. Cephalophus jentinki, Cephalophus zebra and Cephalophus ogilbyi do not have any particular preferences in the selection of habitats. Ecological monitoring and anti-poaching strategies must therefore integrate the ecology and activity rhythms of these duikers to improve the conservation of Taï National Park and its biodiversity.