West Side Story: Regional Inter‐Troop Variation in Baboon Bark‐Stripping at Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique

American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 187(1)

Published: May 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Objectives Baboons possess sophisticated physical and social cognitive abilities; hence, the lack of evidence to date large‐scale behavioral variation in these primates is puzzling. Here we studied a candidate for such variation—the stripping bark from Acacia robusta trees consumption sap soft tissue underneath—in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. Materials Methods We surveyed an area inhabited by ~60 troops chacma baboons, recording availability characteristics target trees, as well presence or absence bark‐stripping at 45 habitat plots distributed across grid covering ~300 km 2 . Results Camera traps confirmed baboons all plots, identified regional clumping distribution behavior, pattern consistent two consecutive years. Proportion mean height/width A. did not predict whether behavior was present given site, nor broader ecological variables type distance nearest water source. However, sites had significantly higher numbers than non‐stripping sites, within preferred strip taller wider among those available. Discussion The prominent geographical clustering uncovered may have been driven opportunity (i.e., prevalence site), but also with possible (non‐mutually exclusive) cultural interpretation. propose avenues future research on Gorongosa's better quantify relative contributions ecology, genetics, learning stripping. briefly consider potential relevance baboon elucidating early hominin foraging strategies.

Language: Английский

---

Archaeology of the Perishable

Current Anthropology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 62(3), P. 333 - 362

Published: April 30, 2021

Selection and transport of materials for tools is ubiquitous throughout our species’ evolutionary history. Yet understanding early human material culture heavily skewed toward lithic technology. This poses challenges when reconstructing technical origins, as organic raw materials, especially plants, likely played a significant role despite their absence from the record until 300 kya. Studies plant-tool use by living apes can serve proxy to reconstruct such aspects behavior. Employing archaeological methods, we investigated procurement termite-fishing three chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) populations in Tanzania: Gombe, Issa, Mahale. All communities exploited plant sources immediate vicinity termite mounds, well farther away, reused them. However, at more parts were sourced per plant, with number removals decreasing distance mound increased. These disparities are caused environmental differences. Issa might try minimize costs what comparably open drier habitat fewer suitable available near mounds. Despite similar types being available, Mahale chimpanzees exclusively used bark tool manufacture, while various employed; these differences may reflect cultural variants. Our study highlights how factors shape technology identifies similarities selection processes inferred Oldowan users. The archaeology perishable, even if its infancy, providing new framework archaeologically invisible behavior own technological origins.

Language: Английский

---

Primate archaeology 3.0

American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 183(3)

Published: Sept. 6, 2023

The new field of primate archaeology investigates the technological behavior and material record nonhuman primates, providing valuable comparative data on our understanding human evolution. Yet, paralleling hominin archaeology, is largely biased toward analysis lithic artifacts. While have been gained through an examination extant tool use its archaeological record, focusing this one single aspect provides limited insights. It therefore necessary to explore what extent other non-technological activities, such as non-tool aided feeding, traveling, social behaviors or ritual displays, leave traces that could be detected in record. Here we propose four areas investigation which believe overlooked by are crucial uncovering full potential behavioral repertoire, including own: (1) Plant technology; (2) Archaeology beyond (3) Landscape archaeology; (4) Primate cultural heritage. We discuss each theme context latest developments challenges, well future directions. Developing a more "inclusive" will not only benefit study evolution own right but aid conservation efforts increasing changes primate-environment interactions over time.

Language: Английский

---

The Adaptive Role of Bark in the Diet of Budongo Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii)

International Journal of Primatology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 45(5), P. 1229 - 1263

Published: July 5, 2024

Abstract The ingestion of bark has been observed across the animal kingdom and is well documented in free-ranging chimpanzees. Thus far, best-supported hypothesis for adaptive function this behavior fallback food hypothesis, which asserts that chimpanzees consume cambium when preferred foods are scarce. However, alternative explanations exist, including essential nutrient mineral , self-medication stressed-tree . We tested whether can explain bark-feeding two communities Eastern ( Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii ) Budongo Forest, Uganda. used 13 years site’s long-term behavioral data, 5 availability 8 months direct indirect observations. also conducted eight 400-m line transects to collect data on distribution tree species community home ranges. employed several analyses, Pearson correlation tests, qualitative comparisons descriptive heat maps, interpretation anecdotes. found varying patterns seasonality species, with showing no scarcity. identified differences amounts targeted between report anecdotal evidence prioritizing over high-value foods. Lastly, we certain disproportionally occurs far from core areas, despite relative abundance these within range. As a result, argue cannot all species. Instead, present supporting hypotheses, self-medication, thereby challenging widely accepted behavior.

Language: Английский

---

Trunk spines of trees: a physical defence against bark removal and climbing by mammals?

Annals of Botany, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 129(5), P. 541 - 554

Published: Feb. 22, 2022

The defensive role of spines has previously been related to leaves, young shoots and reproductive organs. However, some woody species harbour on their trunks where none those organs are present. Several explanations plausible: they could be (1) climbing aids, (2) remnants from defence leaves or during an earlier development phase, (3) as-yet undescribed defence. Here we investigate whether play a against either bark feeding preventing animals accessing food resources in the tree canopy.We described 31 with trunk, growing botanical garden, test morphological strategies identified suggest what most likely function. As testing function is difficult experimentally for large pools species, performed virtual experiments evaluate potential roles trunk removal different sizes. We then compared each confamilial non-spiny nutritional profiles leaf, were associated nutritious organ (more targeted by herbivores).We four syndromes spines. Two corresponded already known functions (anchorage lianas crown ground mammals), two newly trait traits suggesting mammals. By simulation, show how strategy translate into debarking prevent herbivores climbing.We spine criteria classify them, mode size animal which may effective. discuss further perspectives ecological significance.

Language: Английский

---

Sex Bias and Social Influences on Savanna Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) Nest Building Behavior

International Journal of Primatology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 41(6), P. 849 - 869

Published: June 18, 2020

Abstract Many primates show sex differences in behavior, particularly social but also tool use for extractive foraging. All great apes learn to build a supportive structure sleep. Whether exist building, as foraging, is unknown, and little known about how building skills develop vary between individuals the wild. We therefore aimed describe nesting behavior of savanna chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes verus ) Fongoli, Senegal provide comparative data investigate possible or age nest behaviors characteristics. followed chimpanzee groups their night sites record group (55 nights) individual level (17 individuals) on initiation duration (57 nests) during dry season October 2007 March 2008. returned following morning tree characteristics (71 nests built by 25 individuals). Fongoli nested later than reported other apes, no initiating emerged. Observations were limited suggest adult females immature males higher, larger trees males, take longer either males. Smaller may avoid predation access thinner, malleable branches, higher These that described extend with investing more time effort constructing safe, warm sleep do.

Language: Английский

---

Introduction to the Special Issue on Savanna Chimpanzees

International Journal of Primatology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 41(6), P. 767 - 774

Published: Nov. 23, 2020

Language: Английский

---

Diversité et Abondance Relative des Oiseaux d’Eau du Parc National de la Comoé, Côte d’Ivoire

European Scientific Journal ESJ, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 20(3), P. 116 - 116

Published: Jan. 31, 2024

Les oiseaux d’eau constituent une des composantes remarquables de la faune aquatique. Cependant, les du nord Côte d’Ivoire et en particulier ceux Parc National Comoé sont méconnus. L’objectif ce travail est d’améliorer connaissances cette avifaune pour meilleure gestion ces espèces. Ces améliorations reposent sur données qualitatives quantitatives. Un inventaire ornithologique a été mené septembre 2017 à août 2019 au national dans trois différents types d’habitats (les mares, forêts galeries savanes). Pour sa réalisation, méthode points d’écoute marches lentes marquées d’arrêts le long principaux affluents ont appliquées. À l’issu inventaires, 47 espèces d’oiseaux appartenant 18 familles inventoriées. non-Passériformes avec 42 représentent 89,36% richesse spécifique. Au niveau familles, celle Ardeidae représente 23,81% spécifique totale 10 Ce 2685 individus qui observés l’ensemble sites. Le Héron garde-bœuf Bubulcus ibis (570 individus, 21,23%) l’Ombrette africaine Scopus umbretta (193 07,19%) comptant plus grands effectifs d’eau. d'oiseaux d'eau fréquenté parc saison sèche (octobre avril) abondances importantes se situent entre décembre mars. titre l’utilisation habitats par d’eau, il s’observe préférence derniers galeries. Seule Cigogne épiscopale Ciconia episcopus considérée comme proche menace selon l’UICN (2022). Waterbirds are remarkable component of aquatic fauna. However, little is known about the waterbirds northern d'Ivoire, and in particular those Park. The aim this work to improve knowledge avifauna order management these species. These improvements based on qualitative quantitative data. An ornithological survey was carried out from September August Park three different (ponds, gallery forests, savannahs). method used count slow walks with stops along its main tributaries. As result surveys, species belonging families were inventoried. non-Passeriformes, species, accounted for 89.36% richness. In terms families, family represented 23.81% total richness, A 2,685 individuals observed at all Cattle Egret individuals, 21.23%) Hamerkop 07.19%) highest numbers waterbirds. Waterbird visited park most during dry season (October April), greatest abundance between December March. habitat use by waterbirds, there preference forests. Only Woolly-Necked stork considered be close threatened according IUCN (2022).

---

Reducing Water Absorption and Increasing the Density of Kapok (Ceiba pentandra, L.) Fibers from Kapok Production Center in Indonesia

International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 18(1), P. 195 - 200

Published: Feb. 28, 2023

This research reports the reduction of water absorption and density increase kapok fibers from production centers in Pati, Indonesia.Kapok fiber was treated with two solvents, hexane NaOH solution at room temperature.The used five different concentrations; 3.5, 7, 10.5, 14, 17.5%.Fiber morphology, absorption, density, weight loss were determined.Results indicated that average diameter length obtained 70.97 µm 2.3 cm, while its cellulose lignin contents 55.69% 20.56%, respectively.Furthermore, there no significant difference between treating solution.The 17.5% treatment reduced increased losses by 55.98%, 255.55%, 25.58%, respectively.

Language: Английский

---

Primate Archaeology

Elsevier eBooks, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 444 - 455

Published: July 7, 2023

Language: Английский

---