Chimpanzee feeding behaviour at Caiquene-Cadique in Cantanez National Park, Guinea-Bissau

Dissertação de mestrado em Evolução e Biologia Humana, apresentada ao Departamento de Ciências da Vida da Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de Coimbra.Chimpanzees are our closest living relatives, sharing some behaviours once thought unique to humans. Much is known about chimpanzee behaviour and socio-ecology, but we have a very limited understanding of how they adapt their behaviour to the costs and benefits of inhabiting human-influenced habitats. This dissertation presents the first data on the feeding ecology of the most westerly community of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) studied to date, in the forest-savannah-mangrove-farm mosaic of Caiquene-Cadique, Cantanhez National Park, Guinea-Bissau. The main aim of this research was to better understand temporal variations in chimpanzee feeding behaviour, including identification of food species consumed, and relate it to the seasonal availability of plant foods. A combination of data collection methods were employed during the 9-month field study: indirect recording (faecal samples and feeding traces), direct opportunistic observations of chimpanzees, and phenology quadrats. The Caiquene-Cadique chimpanzees experienced marked seasonal variations in the availability of plant foods, but maintained a high proportion of ripe fruit in the diet across months. In addition to fruits, they also ingest a variety of other plant parts, including leaves, piths, flowers, bark and sap. Chimpanzees at Caiquene-Cadique regularly consumed cultivars, including cashew, mango and orange, which represent 13,4% of all consumed species. Honey is frequently consumed, and was obtained from both natural and man-made beehives. There was no evidence of hunting or meat consumption, even though preferred prey species were available, and evidence for the consumption of social insects, such as termites or ants, was not found. However, there was indirect evidence of possible smashing and consumption of giant African snails (Achatina sp.). An episode of plant food-sharing (Treculia africana) was also recorded, supporting the theory that large, easily divisible plants are more commonly shared among apes than smaller, less easily divisible foods. The clearing of forestland for slash-andburn cultivation is constant, and constitutes a significant threat to survival of this and other chimpanzee communities within the Park. Although ‘conflicts’ over access to space and resources appear uncommon, it is likely they will become more frequent with increasing human populations and encroachment.Os chimpanzés são os nossos parentes mais próximos, partilhando alguns comportamentos que se pensava serem exclusivos dos humanos. Sabemos hoje bastante acerca do comportamento e ecologia social dos chimpanzés, mas temos uma compreensão muito limitada de como adaptam esse comportamento aos custos e benefícios de viverem num habitat antropogénico. Esta dissertação apresenta os primeiros dados sobre a ecologia alimentar da mais ocidental comunidade de chimpanzés (Pan troglodytes verus) estudada até ao momento, no mosaico de floresta-savana-mangual-campo-agrícola de Caiquene-Cadique, Parque Nacional de Cantanhez, Guiné-Bissau. O principal objectivo da investigação consistiu em compreender melhor as variações temporais no comportamento alimentar dos chimpanzés, incluindo a identificação de espécies consumidas, e relacioná-las com a disponibilidade sazonal de alimentos vegetais. Durante os 9 meses de trabalho de campo foi utilizada uma combinação de métodos de recolha de dados: métodos indirectos (amostras fecais e vestígios de alimentação), observações oportunistas de chimpanzés, e quadradosamostra de fenologia. Os chimpanzés de Caiquene-Cadique experimentam variações sazonais acentuadas na disponibilidade de alimentos vegetais, mas mantém uma elevada percentagem de frutos maduros na dieta ao longo dos vários meses. Para além de frutos, ingerem também uma multiplicidade de outras partes de planta, incluindo folhas, caules, flores, casca e seiva. Em Caiquene-Cadique consumiram regularmente espécies agrícolas, incluindo caju, manga e laranja, as quais representam 13,4% de todas as espécies consumidas. O mel é frequentemente consumido, sendo obtido quer a partir de colmeias naturais, quer artificiais. Não foram encontrados indícios de caça ou consumo de carne, apesar da presença de espécies-presas preferenciais, nem indícios de consumo de insectos sociais, como térmitas ou formigas. Contudo, houve indício indirecto de possível esmagamento e consumo de caracóis gigantes africanos (Achatina sp.). Um episódio de partilha de alimento vegetal (Treculia africana) foi também registado, apoiando a teoria de que plantas grandes, facilmente divisíveis, são mais comummente partilhadas entre estes primatas do que alimentos de menor dimensão, menos fáceis de dividir. O desmatamento de floresta para cultivo de corte-e-queimada é constante e constitui uma ameaça significativa para a sobrevivência desta e de outras comunidades de chimpanzés do Parque. Apesar de os 'conflitos' em torno do acesso a espaço e recursos aparentem ser incomuns, é provável que se venham a tornar mais frequentes com o aumento da população humana e correspondente ocupação de terrenos

Field Guide

UIDB/04038/2020 UIDP/04038/2020 UID/ANT/04038/2019With chimpanzees inhabiting increasingly anthropogenic landscapes, understanding the sustainability of their interactions with people is crucial for biodiversity conservation and human wellbeing. In depth understanding of the co-utilisation of wild resources by humans and chimpanzees can be incorporated into landscape, regional and national conservation policy that acknowledges the needs of both (Bersacola et al. 2018). This enables evidence-based recommendations for the sustainable exploitation of wild plants, especially those heavily used. For example, it can reveal which plant species should be prioritised for replanting in corridors between forest fragments and which should be afforded additional protection to ensure their persistence and long-term sustainable use by humans and chimpanzees. The western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) is classified as critically endangered by the IUCN and is an important flagship species for conservation in Guinea-Bissau (Sousa 2015). The diet of chimpanzees can consist of hundreds of different plant species, with inter-community differences in species consumed and their importance in diet. In addition to feeding, chimpanzees use wild plants for various other reasons, including to make tools, to access resources such as honey, and to construct nests whereby the branches and leaves of plants are broken and bent, then interwoven into a circular sleeping structure. Several chimpanzee communities are present in the central-southern forests of Cantanhez National Park (Hockings and Sousa 2013). This field guide focuses on one community of chimpanzees at Caiquene-Cadique with a home range of approximately 12.7 km 2 some of which lies in proximity to agricultural areas and human settlements (Bessa et al. 2015). 6 7 The human communities involved in this study were Nalu and Balanta from the villages of Caiquene, Cadique Nalu and Cabdaia. They possess in-depth botanical knowledge and have complex agroeconomic systems. The importance of wild plant resources is recognised by local people as they rely on these for reasons including their subsistence and medicinal needs, as well as for construction and fuel. Certain plants are also used in rituals and ceremonies. For this reason, plants are both vital to survival and hold cultural values (Parathian et al. 2018). Humans and chimpanzees at this site show extensive overlap in habitat selection, with both using areas inside and outside the main forest blocks. Up to now, the overlap in wild resource use by people and chimpanzees has received limited scientific attention. To examine this in shared landscapes is methodologically challenging, and requires knowledge of plants available in a habitat, and the systematic and simultaneous collection of empirical data on human and chimpanzee resource use. To do this accurately requires bridging disciplinary research approaches and expertisepublishersversionpublishe

Guia de Campo

UID/ANT/04038/2019 UIDB/04038/2020 UIDP/04038/2020Com os chimpanzés a habitarem territórios cada vez mais antropogénicos, é crucial compreender a sustentabilidade das suas interações com as pessoas para a conservação da biodiversidade e para garantir o bem-estar humano. Uma compreensão aprofundada da co-utilização de recursos vegetais por seres humanos e chimpanzés pode ser incorporada numa política de conservação, ao nível regional e nacional, que reconheça as necessidades de ambos (Bersacola et al. 2018). Isso permite elaborar recomendações, baseadas em evidências científicas, para a exploração sustentável de plantas silvestres, especialmente das espécies recorrentemente usadas. Por exemplo, pode revelar que espécies de plantas devem ser priorizadas para replantar os corredores entre fragmentos florestais e quais devem receber proteção adicional para garantir a sua persistência e uso sustentável a longo prazo por humanos e chimpanzés. O chimpanzé ocidental (Pan troglodytes verus) está classificado como ameaçado pela UICN e é uma espécie bandeira importante para a conservação na Guiné-Bissau (Sousa 2015). A dieta dos chimpanzés pode consistir em centenas de espécies vegetais diferentes, constatando-se diferenças entre comunidades nas espécies consumidas e na sua importância na dieta. Além da alimentação, os chimpanzés usam plantas silvestres por várias outras razões, inclusive para criar ferramentas para aceder a recursos como o mel, mas também para construir ninhos, para os quais os galhos e as folhas de árvores são quebrados, dobrados e entrelaçados, criando uma estrutura circular onde dormem. Várias comunidades de chimpanzés estão presentes nas florestas do centro-sul do Parque Nacional Cantanhez (PNC) (Hockings e Sousa 2013). Este Guia de Campo concentra-se na comunidade de chimpanzés de Caiquene-Cadique, que ocupa uma área de aproximadamente 12,7 km2, situando-se parte do seu território nas proximidades de áreas agrícolas e povoações humanas (Bessa et al. 2015). As comunidades humanas envolvidas no estudo, das povoações de Caiquene, Cadique Nalu e Cabdaia, são dos grupos étnicos nalu e balanta e detêm um profundo conhecimento botânico e complexos sistemas agro económicos. Os recursos vegetais são cruciais para a população local, uma vez que suprem as suas necessidades de subsistência e medicinais, sendo ainda usados na construção e como combustível. Algumas plantas são igualmente usadas em cerimónias e rituais religiosos. Assim, as plantas são vitais para a sobrevivência e detêm um significativo valor cultural (Parathian et al. 2018). Neste contexto, constata-se uma ampla sobreposição da seleção de habitats por seres humanos e chimpanzés, usando áreas dentro e fora das principais manchas florestais. Até ao momento, a sobreposição do uso de recursos selvagens por pessoas e chimpanzés recebeu pouca atenção científica. Estudá-lo em paisagens compartilhadas é metodologicamente desafiador e requer o conhecimento das plantas disponíveis nos diferentes habitats, além da recolha sistemática e simultânea de dados empíricos sobre o uso de recursos por humanos e chimpanzés. Para realizar de forma aprofundada este tipo de estudos é necessário cruzar abordagens e conhecimentos de diferentes disciplinas, ou seja, realizar uma pesquisa interdisciplinar.publishersversionpublishe

using a systematic literature review to highlight the next conservation steps

UID/ANT/04038/2013; EXPL/IVC-ANT/0997/2013Background West African landscapes are largely characterised by complex agroforest mosaics. Although the West African forests are considered a nonhuman primate hotspot, knowledge on the distribution of many species is often lacking and out-of-date. Considering the fast-changing nature of the landscapes in this region, up-to-date information on primate occurrence is urgently needed, particularly of taxa such as colobines, which may be more sensitive to habitat modification than others. Understanding wildlife occurrence and mechanisms of persistence in these human-dominated landscapes is fundamental for developing effective conservation strategies. Methods In this paper, we aim to review current knowledge on the distribution of three threatened primates in Guinea-Bissau and neighbouring regions, highlighting research gaps and identifying priority research and conservation action. We conducted a systematic literature review of primate studies from 1976 to 2016 in Guinea-Bissau, southern Senegal and western Guinea (Boké Region). We mapped historical observation records of chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus), Temminck’s red colobus (Pilicolobus badius temminckii) and king colobus (Colobus polykomos), including our preliminary survey data from Dulombi, a newly established National Park (NP) in Guinea-Bissau. Results We found 151 documents, including 87 journal articles, that contained field data on primates in this region. In Guinea-Bissau, nearly all studies focussed south of the Corubal River, including mainly Cantanhez, Cufada, and Boé NP’s. In Senegal, most of the data came from Fongoli and Niokolo-Koba NP. In Boké (Guinea) studies are few, with the most recent data coming from Sangarédi. In Dulombi NP we recorded eight primate species, including chimpanzees, red colobus and king colobus. Across the selected region, chimpanzees, red colobus and king colobus were reported in eleven, twelve and seven protected areas, respectively. Discussion Our study demonstrates large geographical research gaps particularly for the two colobines. For the first time after more than two decades, we confirm the presence of red colobus and king colobus north of the Corubal River in Guinea-Bissau. The little information available from large parts of the red colobus range raises questions regarding levels of population fragmentation in this species, particularly in Casamance and across northern Guinea-Bissau. There are still no records demonstrating the occurrence of king colobus in Senegal, and the presence of a viable population in north-eastern Guinea-Bissau remains uncertain. While the occurrence of chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau and Senegal is well documented, data from Boké (Guinea) are sparse and out-of-date. Our approach—the mapping of data gathered from a systematic literature review—allows us to provide recommendations for selecting future geographical survey locations and planning further research and conservation strategies in this region.publishersversionpublishe

Developing an Evidence-Based Coexistence Strategy to Promote Human and Wildlife Health in a Biodiverse Agroforest Landscape

UIDB/04038/2020 UIDP/04038/2020Agroforest mosaics represent one of the most extensive human-impacted terrestrial systems worldwide and play an increasingly critical role in wildlife conservation. In such dynamic shared landscapes, coexistence can be compromised if people view wildlife as a source of infectious disease. A cross-disciplinary One Health knowledge base can help to identify evolving proponents and threats to sustainable coexistence and establish long-term project goals. Building on an existing knowledge base of human–wildlife interactions at Cantanhez National Park (NP), Guinea-Bissau, we developed a causal pathway Theory-of-Change approach in response to a newly identified disease threat of leprosy in the Critically Endangered western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus). The goals of our project are to improve knowledge and surveillance of leprosy in humans and wildlife and increase capacity to manage human–wildlife interactions. We describe the core project activities that aim to (1) quantify space use by chimpanzees across Cantanhez NP and determine the distribution of leprosy in chimpanzees; (2) understand the health system and local perceptions of disease; and (3) identify fine-scale risk sites through participatory mapping of resources shared by humans and chimpanzees across target villages. We discuss the development of a biodiversity and health monitoring programme, an evidence-based One Health campaign, and a One Health environmental management plan that incorporates the sharing of space and resources, and the disease implications of human–non-human great ape interactions. We demonstrate the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement, and the development of strategy that fully considers interactions between people, wildlife, and the environment.publishersversionpublishe