Poliomyelitis and skeletal asymmetry in Gombe chimpanzees

Skeletons of free-ranging chimpanzees from Gombe National Park, Tanzania allow assessment of the effects of long-term, unilateral upper limb paralysis due to the infectious viral disease, poliomyelitis. Comparison of left and right upper limb bone weights, lengths, joint areas, and diaphysial diameters between two adult females with long-term, partial paralysis and a group of unaffected adult Gombe chimpanzees show that the disease caused considerable asymmetries in the skeleton. Detailed analyses of mineral content and diaphysial cross-sectional geometry of the humerus in the affected females show individual differences. The analysis extends to consideration of bone-muscle relationships and peripheral and central nervous system involvement. For each individual, sex, estimated age at death, and behavioral information during life are known from field studies. The impact of the disease on survival and reproductive outcome of the affected individuals is discussed.