Dissertation Research: Orangutan Cultures? Tool Use, Social Transmission and Population Differences

论文研究：猩猩文化？

• 批准号: 9811932
• 负责人: Carel van Schaik
• 金额: $ 0.76万
• 依托单位: Duke University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 1999
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1999-02-01 至 2001-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9811932&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Dissertation; Research; Orangutan; Cultures; Tool

This project involves a systematic investigation of behavioral differences between populations of wild orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus). The widespread tool use among orangutans at Suaq Balimbing (Sumatra, Indonesia) suggests that orangutans have population differences in behavior similar to those found in chimpanzees. Focal animal observation at three established field sites (Suaq Balimbing, Ketambe, and Cabang Panti) will answer the following questions: 1. Is there additional evidence of cultural variation in orangutans? 2. What are the minimum levels of opportunity for invention, expression and social learning that permit cultural behavior? The hypothesis that the opportunities for social learning are the critical factor in the expression of these cultural behaviors will be tested. Improved understanding of the cultural capacity of the orangutan will provide insight into the cultural capacities of the last common ancestor of the great apes and the evolution of culture as a key human adaptation.

该项目涉及对野生猩猩（Pongo pygmaeus）种群之间行为差异的系统调查。 在苏瓦克巴林宾（印度尼西亚苏门答腊）的猩猩中广泛使用工具表明，猩猩在行为上与黑猩猩相似。 在三个已建立的野外地点（Suaq Balimbing、Ketambe和Cabang Panti）进行的重点动物观察将回答以下问题：1. 是否有其他证据表明猩猩的文化差异？ 2. 允许文化行为的发明、表达和社会学习的最低限度的机会是什么？社会学习的机会是这些文化行为表达的关键因素这一假设将得到验证。 对猩猩文化能力的进一步了解将有助于深入了解类人猿最后一个共同祖先的文化能力，以及文化进化作为人类适应环境的关键。