Termite fauna related to differences in tool-use between groups of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) |
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Authors: | D. A. Collins W. C. McGrew |
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Affiliation: | (1) Present address: Department of Zoology, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3JT Edinburgh, Scotland;(2) Present address: Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA Stirling, Scotland |
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Abstract: | Nishida andUehara have contrasted two groups of chimpanzees at the Mahale Mountains in their manner of obtaining termites for food. K-group very rarely used tools, but evidence suggested that B-group did so regularly to fish forMacrotermes. They suggested that this difference was not a cultural one, but was explained by the absence ofMacrotermes in K-group's range. We attempted to test this hypothesis, and here examine the termite fauna in the ranges of the two groups. Our data confirm that termite-fishing was contingent upon the presence ofMacrotermes in B-group's range, and that cultural explanations are not necessary to explain the rarity of tool use by K-group, which instead could catchPseudacanthotermes without using tools. Comparison of the termite faunas in the ranges of K-group, of B-group, and of the chimpanzees at Gombe, suggest that, apart fromMacrotermes, two genera might be the main alternative prey:Pseudacanthotermes, which could be more commonly included in the diet at Gombe, and might also be eaten by B-group, andCubitermes which is available at both these sites. |
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Keywords: | Chimpanzees Termites Tool-use Culture Mahale Gombe |
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