The behavioral ecology of sympatric African apes: implications for understanding fossil hominoid ecology
- 9 November 2005
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Primates
- Vol. 47 (1), 91-101
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-005-0148-6
Abstract
The behavioral ecology of the great apes is key evidence used in the reconstruction of the behavior of extinct ape and hominid taxa. Chimpanzees and gorillas have been studied in detail in the wild, and some studies of their behavioral ecology in sympatry have also been been carried out. Although the two ape species have divergent behavior and ecology in important respects, recent studies have shown that the interspecific differences are not as stark as previously thought and subsequently urge new consideration of how they share forest resources when sympatric. These new data require re-examination of assumptions about key aspects of chimpanzee-gorilla ecological divergence, such as diet, ranging and nesting patterns, and the mating system. Diet is a key component of the species adaptive complexes that facilitates avoidance of direct competition from the other. While the nutritional basis for chimpanzee food choice remains unclear and no doubt varies from site to site, this species is a ripe fruit specialist and ranges farther during periods of ripe fruit scarcity. Gorillas in the same habitat also feed on ripe fruit when widely available, but fall back onto fibrous plant foods during lean periods. The inclusion of animal protein in the diet of the chimpanzees and its absence in that of the gorillas also distinguish the species ecologically. It may also offer clues to aspects of ecological divergence among early members of the hominid phylogeny. The paper concludes by suggesting likely characteristics of sympatric associations of Pliocene hominids, based on field data from extant sympatric apes.Keywords
This publication has 75 references indexed in Scilit:
- A new hominid from the Upper Miocene of Chad, Central AfricaNature, 2002
- Dispersal patterns, group structure, and reproductive parameters of eastern lowland gorillas at Kahuzi in the absence of infanticidePublished by Cambridge University Press (CUP) ,2001
- Social ecology of Kanyawara chimpanzees: implications for understanding the costs of great ape groupsPublished by Cambridge University Press (CUP) ,1996
- Dietary and ranging overlap in sympatric gorillas and chimpanzees in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, ZaïrePublished by Cambridge University Press (CUP) ,1996
- Sympatric chimpanzees and gorillas in the Ndoki Forest, CongoPublished by Cambridge University Press (CUP) ,1996
- Ranging and social structure of lowland gorillas in the Lopé Reserve, GabonPublished by Cambridge University Press (CUP) ,1996
- Features of meat digestion by captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)American Journal of Primatology, 1989
- Density of Herbaceous Plants Eaten by Gorillas in Gabon: Some Preliminary DataBiotropica, 1987
- Early forest clearance and environmental degradation in south-west UgandaNature, 1986
- Radiocarbon Dating of Prehistoric Wooden TrackwaysNature, 1959