Linking behavioral diversity with genetic and ecological variation in the Nigeria-Cameroon (Pan troglodytes ellioti)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekwoge Enang Abwe
Keyword(s):  
Pan Troglodytes ◽  
Ecological Variation ◽  
Behavioral Diversity ◽  
Pan Troglodytes Ellioti

Dietary Ecology of the Nigeria–Cameroon Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti)

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-104
Author(s):  
Ekwoge E. Abwe ◽  
Bethan J. Morgan ◽  
Roger Doudja ◽  
Fabrice Kentatchime ◽  
Flaubert Mba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pan Troglodytes ◽  
Dietary Ecology ◽  
Pan Troglodytes Ellioti

scholarly journals Genomic Tools for Evolution and Conservation in the Chimpanzee: Pan troglodytes ellioti Is a Genetically Distinct Population

PLoS Genetics ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e1002504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rory Bowden ◽  
Tammie S. MacFie ◽  
Simon Myers ◽  
Garrett Hellenthal ◽  
Eric Nerrienet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pan Troglodytes ◽  
Distinct Population ◽  
Genomic Tools ◽  
Pan Troglodytes Ellioti

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Tool Use and Prey Availability in Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) of Northern Democratic Republic of Congo

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 936-959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thurston C. Hicks ◽  
Hjalmar S. Kühl ◽  
Christophe Boesch ◽  
Steph B. J. Menken ◽  
John Hart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pan Troglodytes ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Insect Species ◽  
Pan Troglodytes Schweinfurthii ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Encounter Rates ◽  
Behavioral Diversity ◽  
Ponerine Ants

AbstractA key feature of human behavioral diversity is that it can be constrained by cultural preference (“cultural override”); that is, population-specific preferences can override resource availability. Here we investigate whether a similar phenomenon can be found in one of our closest relatives, as well as the potential impacts of ecological differences on feeding behavior. Our study subjects were different subpopulations of Eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) occupying two very different habitats, moist tropical lowland forests vs. moist tropical forest–savanna mosaic on opposite sides of a major river. Given differences in encounter rates of different kinds of tool sites on both sides of the Uele River, we predicted that these subpopulations would differ in their likelihood of using tools to prey on two insect species despite similar availability. In surveys conducted over a 9-year period at 19 different survey regions in northern Democratic Republic of Congo (10 in lowland forest and 9 in mosaic), we collected and analyzed data on chimpanzee tool-assisted exploitation of insects. To determine the availability of insect species eaten by the chimpanzees, we counted insects and their mounds on transects and recces at 12 of these sites. For stick tools used to harvest epigaeic Dorylus and ponerine ants, we evaluated seasonal, geographical, and prey-availability factors that might influence their occurrence, using nest encounter rate as a proxy to control for chimpanzee abundance. Across the 19 survey regions spanning both sides of the Uele, we found little difference in the availability of epigaeic Dorylus and ponerine ants. Despite this, tool encounter rates for epigaeic Dorylus, but not ponerine, ants were significantly higher in the mosaic to the north of the Uele. Furthermore, we found no evidence for termite fishing anywhere, despite the availability of Macrotermes mounds throughout the region and the fact that chimpanzees at a number of other study sites use tools to harvest these termites. Instead, the chimpanzees of this region used a novel percussive technique to harvest two other types of termites, Cubitermes sp. and Thoracotermes macrothorax. This mismatch between prey availability and predation is consistent with cultural override, but given the different habitats on the two sides of the Uele River, we cannot fully rule out the influence of ecological factors. Comparing our findings with those of similar studies of other chimpanzee populations promises to contribute to our understanding of the evolution of behavioral diversity in humans and our closest cousins.

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