Pan Troglodytes Schweinfurthii Research Articles

Molecular phylogenetics and historical biogeography of east African chimpanzees

Two hundred and sixty eight DNA sequences (hypervariable region 1 of the mitochondrial control region) were obtained from chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in 19 natural populations within the range of the easternmost subspecies,P. t. schweinfurthii. Methods of phylogenetic reconstruction were applied at both the haplotype and population levels. Chimpanzee haplotypes do not sort into location-specific clades on any haplotype trees, indicating that the subspecies is free of major phylogeographic subdivisioning. Trees of populations in which geographic structure was imposed on the data lacked phylogenetic resolution in that interpopulational relationships were poorly supported statistically. These results indicate either a near simultaneous origin for the chimpanzee populations sampled, or an obscuring of interpopulational phylogenetic relationships by gene flow. In contrast, area cladograms of the forests from which chimpanzees were sampled (constructed using lists of endemic taxa) were robust and statistically well-supported. Chimpanzee population history is apparently decoupled from the history of the forests which the populations inhabit. Eastern chimpanzee data are also used to draw phylogenetic and molecular evolutionary comparisons to humans.

Molecular phylogenetics and historical biogeography of east African chimpanzees

Two hundred and sixty eight DNA sequences (hypervariable region 1 of the mitochondrial control region) were obtained from chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in 19 natural populations within the range of the easternmost subspecies,P. t. schweinfurthii. Methods of phylogenetic reconstruction were applied at both the haplotype and population levels. Chimpanzee haplotypes do not sort into location-specific clades on any haplotype trees, indicating that the subspecies is free of major phylogeographic subdivisioning. Trees of populations in which geographic structure was imposed on the data lacked phylogenetic resolution in that interpopulational relationships were poorly supported statistically. These results indicate either a near simultaneous origin for the chimpanzee populations sampled, or an obscuring of interpopulational phylogenetic relationships by gene flow. In contrast, area cladograms of the forests from which chimpanzees were sampled (constructed using lists of endemic taxa) were robust and statistically well-supported. Chimpanzee population history is apparently decoupled from the history of the forests which the populations inhabit. Eastern chimpanzee data are also used to draw phylogenetic and molecular evolutionary comparisons to humans.

Floral Lists from Five Study Sites of Apes in the African Tropical Forests. List of Plant Species Identified in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Zaire.

The identified plants, which were collected during the study of eastern lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla graueri) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinjurthii) in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Zaire, from 1987 to 1991, are listed. Kahuzi-Biega National Park includes lowland forest and montane forest, both of which are inhibited by gorillas and chimpanzees. This paper lists 329 species belonging to 83 families that occurred in a two study areas. 118 species were collected in the Kahuzi region (at an altitude of 1,800 to 2,600 m ) and 220 species in the Itebero region (at an altitude of 600 to 1,300 m). Only 9 species were collected in both regions. The food plants of gorillas and chimpanzees (200 species belonging to 69 families), and trees with diameters of 10 cm at breast height or more were collected intensively. For each plant species, the life form, vernacular name (kirega or mashi) and whether apes and/or elephants utilized it as foods, are given. This list is highly biased towards food plants of primates, but provides a preliminary inventory of plants to compare with other study sites of great apes.

Gorilla conservation in Zaire

The Zaire Gorilla Conservation Project was launched in 1984 after the 1981 census of mountain gorillas in the Virungas showed how the Mountain Gorilla Project in Rwanda, in which FFPS was closely involved, had helped to swell numbers. Over the past few years the Zaire project has made encouraging progress. The 1986 census counted the highest number of gorillas since the early 1970s and some of that increase can be attributed to improved protection in Zaire. In addition, the park is benefiting from income from tourists visiting habituated gorilla groups. The project continues to extend, taking in eastern lowland gorillas and chimpanzees, as well as developing an overall education programme for the region around the park.

Comparison of the communicative vocalizations and behaviors of group ranging in eastern gorillas, chimpanzees and pygmy chimpanzees

Field observations were carried out on chimpanzees, pygmy chimpanzees and eastern gorillas. Since the communicative behaviors which appear in group ranging are closely related to the grouping of the animals and to the social structure, the communicative behaviors of group ranging were compared in the above three species in order to elucidate the common and different characters of their three much diversified social structures. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) the common ancestor ofGorilla andPan had the territorial call “hoot” and behavior of display, and males were antagonistic between each other in the society; (2) the common ancestral species did not have any special long distance cohesive calling: the society was a small compact one, moving on the ground; and (3) the social structure of the pygmy chimpanzee is very different from the common ancestral social structure when compared with those of the gorilla and chimpanzee, in that the pygmy chimpanzee has lost the behaviors of strong antagonistic character between adult males.