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Ant-dipping among the chimpanzees of Bossou, Guinea, and some comparisons with other sites

Humle, Tatyana, Matsuzawa, Tetsuro (2002) Ant-dipping among the chimpanzees of Bossou, Guinea, and some comparisons with other sites. American Journal of Primatology, 58 (3). pp. 133-148. ISSN 0275-2565. (doi:10.1002/ajp.10055) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:38041)

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajp.10055

Abstract

We present a detailed study of ant-dipping among the wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) of Bossou, in southeastern Guinea, West Africa. Observations suggest a strong influence of prey (Dorylus spp.) characteristics, including aggressiveness and/or gregariousness, on tool length and technique employed by the chimpanzees. Bossou chimpanzees exhibit two ant-dipping techniques: 1) direct mouthing, and 2) pull-through. In addition, they were observed dipping for several species of Dorylus ants, classed into two categories: Red and Black. Tool length was longer when dipping in higher-risk contexts, i.e., at the ants' nest site or on Black ants. The pull-through technique was almost exclusively associated with dipping at the nest site. This latter technique was associated with tools over 50 cm long, whereas direct mouthing was the only technique observed with tools <50 cm long. Our experimental findings, together with our observations on the behavior of the chimpanzees, suggest that at the nest, the pull-through technique was a more efficient technique than direct mouthing. We review our results in the context of ant-dipping observed at two other long-term chimpanzee study sites, i.e., Gombe (Tanzania) and Taï (Côte d'Ivoire), where differences in tool length, technique used, and focal Dorylus ant species have been reported. Finally, we urge similar detailed studies of this tool-use behavior in both Gombe and Taï to shed further light upon our results and their implications.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1002/ajp.10055
Uncontrolled keywords: Ant-dipping, Bossou, Chimpanzee, Dorylus spp, Pan troglodytes verus, Tool use, behavioral ecology, primate, tool use, aggression, animal, ant, article, classification, comparative study, feeding behavior, geography, Guinea, Pan troglodytes, physiology, predation, species difference, Aggression, Animals, Ants, Feeding Behavior, Geography, Guinea, Pan troglodytes, Predatory Behavior, Species Specificity, Guinea, Formicidae, Pan (ape), Pan troglodytes, Pan troglodytes verus, Troglodytes
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology
Q Science > QH Natural history > QH541 Ecology
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 09:58 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:14 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/38041 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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