FIELD STUDIES OF WILD CHIMPANZEES
I have conducted field studies of wild chimpanzees in the Ivory Coast (Pan troglodytes verus) and more recently in in Kibale National Park, Uganda (P.t. schweinfurthii). This research incorporates behavioral, microbial, genetic and endocrinological analyses based on over 20 years of long term data on wild chimpanzees.
The Kanyanchu River Chimpanzee Project
The Kanyanchu River Chimpanzee Project began in 2011 in Kibale National Park, Uganda. We are studying two wild chimpanzee communities (one habituated to human observation and containing over 125 individuals and one semi-habituated community containing over 100 individuals). The main goals include studies of sexual and social development, dispersal, reproductive strategies, microbial diversity and transmission, and conservation.
Facebook for Kanyanchu River Chimpanzee Project
Fieldwork is challenging and unpredictable. Heavy rain is a fact of life especially in the rainy season and there are no houses nearby for us to duck into when it pours. Waterproof boots and rain gear are a necessity. Dedicated, highly experienced project staff ensure that data collection is consistent and ongoing.
Female dispersal and social relationships across the lifespan in wild chimpanzees.
We are examining microbiome diversity among chimpanzee communities within the park and the relationships between female relatedness and sociality. Specifically, we test hypotheses regarding behavioral and hormonal factors that may explain the pattern of female dispersal (a demographic and behavioral pattern shared by humans and chimpanzees but few other primates).
This work is in collaboration with Dr Kevin Langergraber at Arizona State University.
Funding: NSF BCS.
This work is in collaboration with Dr Kevin Langergraber at Arizona State University.
Funding: NSF BCS.
Wild chimpanzee social and sexual development.
Reproduction is key to evolutionary biology and varies depending on many social, environmental and genetic factors. Wild chimpanzee studies underway include social and sexual development, focusing on the transition from juvenility to adulthood in chimpanzees, variation in timing and nature of maturation between males and females, and inter-individual variation in the age of developmental milestones.
This research is funded by The Leakey Foundation, The Wenner Gren Foundation, NSF BCS and the University of Illinois.
This research is funded by The Leakey Foundation, The Wenner Gren Foundation, NSF BCS and the University of Illinois.