Dispersion of large-seeded tree species by two forest primates: primate seed handling, microhabitat variability, and post-dispersal seed fate

I describe the relative effectiveness of two primates in dispersing large-seeded tree seeds (\u3e 0.5 cm) in the Nyungwe National Park (NNP), Rwanda. My objectives are three-fold: (1) to describe the relative effectiveness of primates in dispersing the seeds of five large-seeded tree species, (2) to evaluate the influence of primate seed-handling method on seed fate, and (3) to determine the influence of deposition site on seed fate. I employed focal tree observations, day-follows of habituated primate groups, in situ monitoring of primate-dispersed seeds, and experimental plots to achieve these objectives. Data were collected over the course of one year (April 2006 – April 2007). Frugivore assemblages dispersed the seeds of four of the five focal tree species. Chimpanzees and cercopithecines spent the most time in trees and had the largest group size. Large-bodied birds (LB) and chimpanzees dispersed the highest number of seeds per minute. LB and cercopithecines potentially disperse the greatest number of seeds for Ekebergia capensis, and chimpanzees for Syzygium guineense. My study highlights the complexities of determining a disperser’s effectiveness and suggests that large-bodied birds and primates are relatively important dispersers of large-seeded trees. Primates deposit seeds most often in open forest where seeds experience the highest establishment. In addition primates deposit seeds in five habitats that are likely dispersal-limited suggesting that primates contribute to the regeneration processes of otherwise dispersal-limited areas. My results suggest that the former emphasis of seed dispersal studies on defecations is not representative and should be expanded to include orally-discarded seeds. Furthermore my study highlights that primates do not deposit seeds randomly and that the characteristics of the deposition site are a reflection of primate seed handling. I found no relationship between the top five fruiting tree species found in chimpanzee feces and fruit availability suggesting that chimpanzees do not choose fruits solely based on their availability. In contrast the wadged fruits of Syzygium guineense are positively correlated to fruit availability. A closer examination of the relationship between chimpanzees and S. guineense may provide insight into potential repercussions on the regeneration of S. guineense if the chimpanzee were to be extirpated. I compare the relationship of seed presence in the NNP chimpanzees’ feces and wadges and forest-wide fruit availability with two other chimpanzee communities in the Albertine Rift. Finally I organized a workshop for educators living in communities on the NNP’s periphery in an effort to disseminate my results to a broader community. Pre- and post-workshop questionnaires completed by workshop participants suggest that this kind of interaction between researchers, management authorities and local peoples helps to build trust as well as identify areas where sensitization of the population may be needed

Dispersion of large-seeded tree species by two forest primates: primate seed handling, microhabitat variability, and post-dispersal seed fate

I describe the relative effectiveness of two primates in dispersing large-seeded tree seeds (\u3e 0.5 cm) in the Nyungwe National Park (NNP), Rwanda. My objectives are three-fold: (1) to describe the relative effectiveness of primates in dispersing the seeds of five large-seeded tree species, (2) to evaluate the influence of primate seed-handling method on seed fate, and (3) to determine the influence of deposition site on seed fate. I employed focal tree observations, day-follows of habituated primate groups, in situ monitoring of primate-dispersed seeds, and experimental plots to achieve these objectives. Data were collected over the course of one year (April 2006 – April 2007). Frugivore assemblages dispersed the seeds of four of the five focal tree species. Chimpanzees and cercopithecines spent the most time in trees and had the largest group size. Large-bodied birds (LB) and chimpanzees dispersed the highest number of seeds per minute. LB and cercopithecines potentially disperse the greatest number of seeds for Ekebergia capensis, and chimpanzees for Syzygium guineense. My study highlights the complexities of determining a disperser’s effectiveness and suggests that large-bodied birds and primates are relatively important dispersers of large-seeded trees. Primates deposit seeds most often in open forest where seeds experience the highest establishment. In addition primates deposit seeds in five habitats that are likely dispersal-limited suggesting that primates contribute to the regeneration processes of otherwise dispersal-limited areas. My results suggest that the former emphasis of seed dispersal studies on defecations is not representative and should be expanded to include orally-discarded seeds. Furthermore my study highlights that primates do not deposit seeds randomly and that the characteristics of the deposition site are a reflection of primate seed handling. I found no relationship between the top five fruiting tree species found in chimpanzee feces and fruit availability suggesting that chimpanzees do not choose fruits solely based on their availability. In contrast the wadged fruits of Syzygium guineense are positively correlated to fruit availability. A closer examination of the relationship between chimpanzees and S. guineense may provide insight into potential repercussions on the regeneration of S. guineense if the chimpanzee were to be extirpated. I compare the relationship of seed presence in the NNP chimpanzees’ feces and wadges and forest-wide fruit availability with two other chimpanzee communities in the Albertine Rift. Finally I organized a workshop for educators living in communities on the NNP’s periphery in an effort to disseminate my results to a broader community. Pre- and post-workshop questionnaires completed by workshop participants suggest that this kind of interaction between researchers, management authorities and local peoples helps to build trust as well as identify areas where sensitization of the population may be needed

Detecting and predicting forest degradation: A comparison of ground surveys and remote sensing in Tanzanian forests

Funder: Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100013724Funder: Global Environment Facility; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100011150Funder: Danish International Development Agency; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100011054Funder: Scottish Government’s Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services DivisionFunder: Finnish International Development AgencyFunder: Leverhulme Trust; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000275Societal Impact Statement: Large areas of tropical forest are degraded. While global tree cover is being mapped with increasing accuracy from space, much less is known about the quality of that tree cover. Here we present a field protocol for rapid assessments of forest condition. Using extensive field data from Tanzania, we show that a focus on remotely‐sensed deforestation would not detect significant reductions in forest quality. Radar‐based remote sensing of degradation had good agreement with the ground data, but the ground surveys provided more insights into the nature and drivers of degradation. We recommend the combined use of rapid field assessments and remote sensing to provide an early warning, and to allow timely and appropriately targeted conservation and policy responses. Summary: Tropical forest degradation is widely recognised as a driver of biodiversity loss and a major source of carbon emissions. However, in contrast to deforestation, more gradual changes from degradation are challenging to detect, quantify and monitor. Here, we present a field protocol for rapid, area‐standardised quantifications of forest condition, which can also be implemented by non‐specialists. Using the example of threatened high‐biodiversity forests in Tanzania, we analyse and predict degradation based on this method. We also compare the field data to optical and radar remote‐sensing datasets, thereby conducting a large‐scale, independent test of the ability of these products to map degradation in East Africa from space. Our field data consist of 551 ‘degradation’ transects collected between 1996 and 2010, covering >600 ha across 86 forests in the Eastern Arc Mountains and coastal forests. Degradation was widespread, with over one‐third of the study forests—mostly protected areas—having more than 10% of their trees cut. Commonly used optical remote‐sensing maps of complete tree cover loss only detected severe impacts (≥25% of trees cut), that is, a focus on remotely‐sensed deforestation would have significantly underestimated carbon emissions and declines in forest quality. Radar‐based maps detected even low impacts (<5% of trees cut) in ~90% of cases. The field data additionally differentiated types and drivers of harvesting, with spatial patterns suggesting that logging and charcoal production were mainly driven by demand from major cities. Rapid degradation surveys and radar remote sensing can provide an early warning and guide appropriate conservation and policy responses. This is particularly important in areas where forest degradation is more widespread than deforestation, such as in eastern and southern Africa

Molecular Ecology and Natural History of Simian Foamy Virus Infection in Wild-Living Chimpanzees

Identifying microbial pathogens with zoonotic potential in wild-living primates can be important to human health, as evidenced by human immunodeficiency viruses types 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2) and Ebola virus. Simian foamy viruses (SFVs) are ancient retroviruses that infect Old and New World monkeys and apes. Although not known to cause disease, these viruses are of public health interest because they have the potential to infect humans and thus provide a more general indication of zoonotic exposure risks. Surprisingly, no information exists concerning the prevalence, geographic distribution, and genetic diversity of SFVs in wild-living monkeys and apes. Here, we report the first comprehensive survey of SFVcpz infection in free-ranging chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) using newly developed, fecal-based assays. Chimpanzee fecal samples (n = 724) were collected at 25 field sites throughout equatorial Africa and tested for SFVcpz-specific antibodies (n = 706) or viral nucleic acids (n = 392). SFVcpz infection was documented at all field sites, with prevalence rates ranging from 44% to 100%. In two habituated communities, adult chimpanzees had significantly higher SFVcpz infection rates than infants and juveniles, indicating predominantly horizontal rather than vertical transmission routes. Some chimpanzees were co-infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVcpz); however, there was no evidence that SFVcpz and SIVcpz were epidemiologically linked. SFVcpz nucleic acids were recovered from 177 fecal samples, all of which contained SFVcpz RNA and not DNA. Phylogenetic analysis of partial gag (616 bp), pol-RT (717 bp), and pol-IN (425 bp) sequences identified a diverse group of viruses, which could be subdivided into four distinct SFVcpz lineages according to their chimpanzee subspecies of origin. Within these lineages, there was evidence of frequent superinfection and viral recombination. One chimpanzee was infected by a foamy virus from a Cercopithecus monkey species, indicating cross-species transmission of SFVs in the wild. These data indicate that SFVcpz (i) is widely distributed among all chimpanzee subspecies; (ii) is shed in fecal samples as viral RNA; (iii) is transmitted predominantly by horizontal routes; (iv) is prone to superinfection and recombination; (v) has co-evolved with its natural host; and (vi) represents a sensitive marker of population structure that may be useful for chimpanzee taxonomy and conservation strategies

A brave new world: integrating well-being and conservation

Aldous Huxley's Brave New World promised an enduring, happy society as long as it followed rigid, scientifically defined social rules. Just as this supposed utopia led to immense human suffering as people were constrained to predefined societal roles with limited opportunity for self-expression, conservation initiatives that impose predefined conceptions of well-being onto the poor and politically disadvantaged will meet with tenuous success. In this special feature, we provide a selection of studies that address the how and why of integrating human well-being into conservation practice focusing predominantly on local perspectives. Authors focus on how engagement with local populations is driven, implicitly or explicitly, by the pursuit of a more just conservation and recognition of local voices in deciding their fate

Multiple diverse circoviruses infect farm animals and are commonly found in human and chimpanzee feces

Circoviruses are known to infect birds and pigs and can cause a wide range of severe symptoms with significant economic impact. Using viral metagenomics, we identified circovirus-like DNA sequences and characterized 15 circular viral DNA genomes in stool samples from humans in Pakistan, Nigeria, Tunisia, and the United States and from wild chimpanzees. Distinct genomic features and phylogenetic analysis indicate that some viral genomes were part of a previously unrecognized genus in the Circoviridae family we tentatively named "Cyclovirus" whose genetic diversity is comparable to that of all the known species in the Circovirus genus. Circoviridae detection in the stools of U. S. adults was limited to porcine circoviruses which were also found in most U. S. pork products. To determine whether the divergent cycloviruses found in non-U.S. human stools were of dietary origin, we genetically compared them to the cycloviruses in muscle tissue samples of commonly eaten farm animals in Pakistan and Nigeria. Limited genetic overlap between cycloviruses in human stool samples and local cow, goat, sheep, camel, and chicken meat samples indicated that the majority of the 25 Cyclovirus species identified might be human viruses. We show that the genetic diversity of small circular DNA viral genomes in various mammals, including humans, is significantly larger than previously recognized, and frequent exposure through meat consumption and contact with animal or human feces provides ample opportunities for cyclovirus transmission. Determining the role of cycloviruses, found in 7 to 17% of non-U.S. human stools and 3 to 55% of non-U.S. meat samples tested, in both human and animal diseases is now facilitated by knowledge of their genomes