Ecology and ethnozoology of the three-cusped pangolin Manis tricuspis (Mammalia, Pholidota) in the Lama forest reserve, Benin

Abstract

The conservation of biodiversity and sustainable management strategies must be based on an understanding of the structural and functional ecological traits of utilized species. Such basic data are still lacking for even the most endangered species in Africa. In this study, we combined ecological methods with ethnographic approaches to investigate the ecology and ethnozoology of three-cusped pangolin (Manis tricuspis) in the context of the Lama forest reserve (6°55.8’–58.8’ N and 2°4.2’–10.8’ E) in Benin. We interviewed 79 people from various socio-professional groups to assess how important is three-cusped pangolin to indigenous people. We surveyed 15 strip transects (3 km=1 km) within 12 sites to seek for indices of pangolin presence and record-associated vegetation data in six plots of 900 m2 (30 m=30 m). In total, 38 pangolins were observed in the forest. The density was 0.84 pangolins/km2 during the dry season and the number of observations did not differ significantly between plantations and natural forest. The age ratio of juvenile/adult was 1:1. The preferred habitat was colonized by termite mounds in 62% of the sites. Pangolins were mostly found in holes of Dialium guineense and Ceiba pentandra in the closed natural forests. The distribution of pangolins in the Lama forest reserve suggests that the species is more sensitive to forest age than to its composition. Three-cusped pangolin plays an important role as food, medicine, mythic and source of income for local communities around the Lama forest reserve. We also recommend future research guidelines important for the conservation of Manis tricuspis in Benin.