Clinical signs,diagnostics and successful treatment of a myocarditis in an adult chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)

A chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) was presented with lethargic behaviour. Echocardiography and abnormal cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers revealed a myocarditis. The animal fully recovered after prolonged treatment with losartan and carvedilol. This is the first report of the diagnosis and successful treatment of myocarditis in this species.     

Focal epithelial hyperplasia of the oral mucosa in two chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Papillomas in the oral mucosa compatible with focal epithelial hyperplasia are reported in two chimpanzees. The lesions were studied by light and electron microscopy. Virus particles were not observed. The literature dealing with focal epithelial hyperplasia in humans and other animals is reviewed.     

Enamel hypoplasias as indicators of developmental stress in pongids and hominids

This paper reports the results from a study of enamel hypoplasia in the deciduous dentition of free-living Liberian chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus). The entire study collection includes 280 specimens (278 skulls plus two unassociated mandibles), of which 70 are young enough to retain some decidous teeth. Among the subsample of infants, the total frequency of hypoplasia summed over all teeth in any individual reaches 80%, being expressed in the form of pits rather than transverse lines. Hypoplasia of a linear form was common in the permanent dentition, attaining a frequency of 46.7% on maxillary central incisors and 69.7% on mandibular canines.     

Habitat‐driven diversification,hybridization and cryptic diversity in the Fork‐tailed Drongo (Passeriformes: Dicruridae: Dicrurus adsimilis)

Species complexes of widespread African vertebrates that include taxa distributed across different habitats are poorly understood in terms of their phylogenetic relationships, levels of genetic differentiation and diversification dynamics. The Fork‐tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis) species complex includes seven Afrotropical taxa with parapatric distributions, each inhabiting a particular bioregion. Various taxonomic hypotheses concerning the species limits of the Fork‐tailed Drongo have been suggested, based largely on mantle and upperpart coloration, but our understanding of diversity and diversification patterns remains incomplete. Especially given our lack of knowledge about how well these characters reflect taxonomy in a morphologically conservative group. Using a thorough sampling across Afrotropical bioregions, we suggest that the number of recognized species within the D. adsimilis superspecies complex has likely been underestimated and that mantle and upperpart coloration reflects local adaptation to different habitat structure, rather than phylogenetic relationships. Our results are consistent with recent phylogeographic studies of sub‐Saharan African vertebrates, indicating that widespread and often morphologically uniform species comprise several paraphyletic lineages, often with one or more of the lineages being closely related to phenotypically distinct forms inhabiting a different, yet geographically close, biome.     

The Wnt Target Protein Peter Pan Defines a Novel p53-independent Nucleolar Stress-Response Pathway

Proper ribosome formation is a prerequisite for cell growth and proliferation. Failure of this process results in nucleolar stress and p53-mediated apoptosis. The Wnt target Peter Pan (PPAN) is required for 45 S rRNA maturation. So far, the role of PPAN in nucleolar stress response has remained elusive. We demonstrate that PPAN localizes to mitochondria in addition to its nucleolar localization and inhibits the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in a p53-independent manner. Loss of PPAN induces BAX stabilization, depolarization of mitochondria, and release of cytochrome c, demonstrating its important role as an anti-apoptotic factor. Staurosporine-induced nucleolar stress and apoptosis disrupt nucleolar PPAN localization and induce its accumulation in the cytoplasm. This is accompanied by phosphorylation and subsequent cleavage of PPAN by caspases. Moreover, we show that PPAN is a novel interaction partner of the anti-apoptotic protein nucleophosmin (NPM). PPAN depletion induces NPM and upstream-binding factor (UBF) degradation, which is independent of caspases. In summary, we provide evidence for a novel nucleolar stress-response pathway involving PPAN, NPM, and BAX to guarantee cell survival in a p53-independent manner.     

Preliminary survey of the distribution and population of chimpanzees in the Republic of Guinea

An investigation of the distribution and population of chimpanzees in the Republic of Guinea was carried out with the help of the Government authorities on the basis of a questionnaire. As a result, at least 20 out of the 36 prefectures in the country were confirmed to be inhabited by chimpanzees, and the estimated total number of animals in the present population amounted to 6,625. This number represented an approximately 50% reduction from the 13,940 estimated by the same informants on the same questionnaire based on assumptions for the past (20–60 years ago). On comparing these data with our observations in some localities, the present number of chimpanzees as estimated from the questionnaire appeared to be overestimated. Among the 16 other prefectures without any reply, at least 7 have chimpanzees according to our own and our colleagues' observations. On our modest estimate, the number of chimpanzees at present could be only about 1,420 for 30 prefectures rather than 6,625 for 20 prefectures. The true population size in the whole country may lie between the two estimates, 1,420–6,625, even including other prefectures with no information. The reduction in population size during the last 20–60 years must be half or even more. The reason for this drastic reduction of the chimpanzee population is thought to be mainly the destruction of its habitat and poaching in some prefectures adjacent to Sierra Leone and Liberia. These findings emphasize that urgent efforts need to be directed towards the conservation of the chimpanzees and their habitat, especially through international cooperative programmes.     

The fate of defeated alpha male chimpanzees in relation to their social networks

Usurpation of alpha status by males is a relatively rare event among wild chimpanzees in the Mahale Mountains National Park, western Tanzania, where long-term field studies have been carried out since 1965. Here we report three such cases and compare the fate of those defeated alpha males. The formation of effective alliances with other adult males is considered to be crucial in determining what will happen to the defeated alpha male in the rank order after the loss of his status.     

An apparatus and procedure for studying the choice component of foraging in a captive group of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

An apparatus is described which was used to investigate the choice component of foraging in a captive group of chimpanzees maintained in a large, outdoor compound at the Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center Field Station. The utilization of more than one apparatus would allow the investigation of other ecological and psychological concepts in nonhuman primates housed under semi-natural conditions.     

Association partners of young chimpanzees in the Mahale Mountains National Park,Tanzania

Association partners of young chimpanzees at the Mahale Mountains National Park were analyzed. Juvenile and adolescent chimpanzees associated frequently with their mothers, although mother-offspring association decreased as the offspring grew up. Males tended to leave their mothers and associate with adult males, while females remained frequently associating with their mothers in early adolescence. In late adolescence and young adulthood, males usually associated with adult males and cycling adult females. Females may transfer into neighboring unit-groups in this stage. Although an immigrant female tended to be alone when her estrous cycle stopped, she associated with many individuals, in particular with adult males, when she resumed cycling. Some orphans were observed to associate frequently with particular adults. The findings were discussed in relation to the unique characteristics of chimpanzee social system.