Social Dynamics of Primates

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This grant provides support for two years of field research by Dr. Wrangham and his colleagues in the Kibale Forest which is located in southern Uganda. This area has an extremely high density of primates and the reseachers will focus their attention on the common chimpanzee >Pan> >troglodytes>. In the two related aspects of the study they will study the process of chimpanzee group socialization and also examine the food calls made by these animals. To accomplish these goals, they will make focal observations on adults encountered within the study area. They will record both activities of individual animals and will also note the composition of the group of which this animal is a member. A series of such observations will allow the reconstruction of the composition, fission and fusion of such groups. The team will also conduct focal tree.watches on fruiting trees and this will allow them to study how different groups and individuals share valuable limited resources. They will record information on the ecology of the entire study area to determine both density and distribution of resources. Finally they will record chimpanzee vocalizations and through a combination of laboratory and situational analysis attempt to determine the number of different calls and the purpose or meaning of each. The goal of this study is to understand the factors which determine how chimpanzees utilize the environment and the relationship between this strategy and group composition. Previous research has made it clear that in different parts of Africa these animals are organized differently and it seems likely that environment plays a role. However no detailed studies have been conducted to answer this question. Closely related to the question of group organization is the issue of cooperation between individuals. Since vocalization sometimes serves to announce the presence of food, through a study of calls, insight will, hopefully, be gained into the kinds of cooperation which take place. This research is important for several reasons. First it sets the context for understanding how humans act. Secondly data collected may help to preserve these rare animals which are endangered in many parts of Africa. Finally, because of the participation of Ugandian students and scientists it should help strengthen the Ugandian scientific establishment and help forge links between Ugandian and U.S. reseachers.