Repository logo
 

Cultural differences in ant-dipping tool length between neighbouring chimpanzee communities at Kalinzu, Uganda.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Koops, Kathelijne 
Isaji, Mina 
Hashimoto, Chie 

Abstract

Cultural variation has been identified in a growing number of animal species ranging from primates to cetaceans. The principal method used to establish the presence of culture in wild populations is the method of exclusion. This method is problematic, since it cannot rule out the influence of genetics and ecology in geographically distant populations. A new approach to the study of culture compares neighbouring groups belonging to the same population. We applied this new approach by comparing ant-dipping tool length between two neighbouring communities of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) in the Kalinzu Forest, Uganda. Ant-dipping tool length varies across chimpanzee study sites in relation to army ant species (Dorylus spp.) and dipping location (nest vs. trail). We compared the availability of army ant species and dipping tool length between the two communities. M-group tools were significantly longer than S-group tools, despite identical army ant target species availabilities. Moreover, tool length in S-group was shorter than at all other sites where chimpanzees prey on epigaeic ants at nests. Considering the lack of ecological differences between the two communities, the tool length difference appears to be cultural. Our findings highlight how cultural knowledge can generate small-scale cultural diversification in neighbouring chimpanzee communities.

Description

Keywords

Animals, Ants, Ecology, Ecosystem, Feeding Behavior, Forests, Geography, Pan troglodytes, Predatory Behavior, Tool Use Behavior, Uganda

Journal Title

Sci Rep

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2045-2322
2045-2322

Volume Title

5

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC