Interspecific interactions between sympatric apes.

Bibliographic Collection: 
APE
Publication Type: Journal Article
Authors: Sanz, Crickette M; Strait, David; Eyana Ayina, Crepin; Massamba, Jean Marie; Ebombi, Thierry Fabrice; Ndassoba Kialiema, Severin; Ngoteni, Delon; Mbebouti, Gaeton; Koni Boue, David Rostand; Brogan, Sean; Funkhouser, Jake A; Morgan, David B
Year of Publication: 2022
Journal: iScience
Volume: 25
Issue: 10
Pagination: 105059
Date Published: 2022 Oct 21
Publication Language: eng
ISSN: 2589-0042
Abstract:

Gorillas reside in sympatry with chimpanzees over the majority of their range. Compiling all known reports of overlap between apes and augmenting these with observations made over twenty years in the Ndoki Forest, we examine the potential predation-related, foraging, and social contexts of interspecific associations between gorillas and chimpanzees. We reveal a greater diversity of interactions than previously recognized, which range from play to lethal aggression. Furthermore, there are indications that interactions between ape species may serve multiple functions. Interactions between gorillas and chimpanzees were most common during foraging activities, but they also overlapped in several other contexts. From a social perspective, we provide evidence of consistent relationships between particular chimpanzee-gorilla dyads. In addition to providing new insights into extant primate community dynamics, the diversity of interactions between apes points to an entirely new field of study in early human origins as early hominins also likely had opportunities to associate.

DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105059
Alternate Journal: iScience