Authors: Greco, Ilaria; Rovero, Francesco;

The tropical forest biome contains a disproportionally high number of mammals with high levels of endemism. However, these forests are undergoing severe human encroachment. Considering the current extinction crisis, monitoring often little-known endemic or threatened populations is vital for assessing their vulnerability and identifying priority areas for conservation. To this purpose, camera-trapping represents a critical tool and by analyzing detections in occupancy framework it is possible to assess variations in occurrence in relation to anthropogenic factors. We applied a systematic camera-trapping protocol (minimum of 60 sites sampled per area) in three areas of great conservation importance in Tanzania. In the first area we detected for the first time in Tanzania the IUCN-Vulnerable African golden cat, while in the other areas we studied the Endangered Sanje mangabey. We modelled occupancy with anthropogenic and environmental factors to assess habitat preferences and vulnerability; for the mangabey we also predicted occupancy across its entire distribution range. Both species displayed vulnerability to humans, with occurrence clearly decreasing in proximity to forest edges nearing human settlements. Systematic camera-trapping coupled with occupancy analysis is an efficient tool to study cryptic species in remote areas and can provide solid information to support management decision-making.