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Chimpanzee interactions with nonhuman species in an anthropogenic habitat

Hockings, Kimberley J., Humle, Tatyana, Carvalho, Susana, Matsuzawa, Tetsuro (2012) Chimpanzee interactions with nonhuman species in an anthropogenic habitat. Behaviour, 149 (3-4). pp. 299-324. ISSN 0005-7959. (doi:10.1163/156853912X636735) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:38023)

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156853912X636735

Abstract

Interactions between wildlife species are numerous and diverse, ranging from commensalism to predation. Information on cross-species interactions in anthropogenic habitats are rare but can serve to improve our understanding of animal behavioural and ecological flexibility in response to human-induced changes. Here we report direct observations of interactions between chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) and wild and domesticated species in a forest-farm mosaic at Bossou, Guinea, recorded between 1997 and 2009. The low diversity and abundance of wildlife, in particular typical chimpanzee prey species, are reflected in both the low interaction rates (one interaction per 400 observation hours) and the low number of species with which chimpanzees interacted (nine species, mostly mammals, but also birds and reptiles). Chimpanzees generally chose either to make direct physical contact with a species or not; interactions that involved direct contact lasted longer than noncontacts. Interactions with mammals showed the greatest diversity in nature and duration. Adults most often consumed a captured animal, while immatures most often engaged in playful behaviours with other species. Immatures also exhibited distinctive accompanying behaviours whereas adults rarely did so. Species-specific behaviours that depend on the age-class of the interactant are consistent with the idea that chimpanzees categorise different animals. We anticipate that chimpanzee interactions with sympatric species inhabiting humanised habitats will change over time to include more domesticated species. Conservation management strategies should anticipate behavioural flexibility in response to changing landscapes.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1163/156853912X636735
Uncontrolled keywords: anthropogenic habitat, chimpanzee, cross-species interactions, hunt, Pan troglodytes, play, Animalia, Aves, Mammalia, Pan, Pan troglodytes, Pan troglodytes verus, Reptilia
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology
Q Science > QH Natural history > QH541 Ecology
Q Science > QH Natural history > QH75 Conservation (Biology)
Q Science > QL Zoology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Depositing User: Tatyana Humle
Date Deposited: 04 Apr 2014 10:42 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:14 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/38023 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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