Abstract:
Predation is a major cause of mortality in non-human primates, and considered a selective force in the evolution of primate societies. Although larger body size is considered as protection against predation, evidence for predation on great apes by carnivores comes from chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), gorillas (Gorilla gorilla), and orangutans (Pongo spp.). Here, we describe the first encounter between wild bonobos (Pan paniscus) and a leopard (Panthera pardus). A single leopard was confronted by a group of habituated bonobos for three hours. Two adult males and one adolescent female bonobo actively harassed the leopard, which remained still for most of the encounter and reacted only to close approaches by bonobos. While no predation was observed, their behaviours confirm that bonobos perceive leopards as potential predators. Our report adds novel information to descriptions from other African ape species, and sheds light on the behavioural repertoire of bonobos\' anti-predation strategies. For future investigations, we suggest tagging leopards to remotely monitor their movements and allow assessment of encounter rates as one of several factors influencing predation pressure.
摘要:
捕食是非人类灵长类动物死亡的主要原因,并被认为是灵长类动物社会进化中的选择性力量。虽然更大的身体尺寸被认为是防止捕食,食肉动物捕食类人猿的证据来自黑猩猩(Pantroglodytes),大猩猩(大猩猩),和猩猩(Pongospp。).这里,我们描述了野生黑猩猩(Panpaniscus)和豹子(Pantherapardus)之间的第一次相遇。一只豹子面对一群习以为常的黑猩猩三个小时。两名成年雄性和一名青春期雌性黑猩猩积极骚扰豹子,在大部分遭遇中都保持静止,只对黑猩猩的近距离接近做出反应。虽然没有观察到捕食,他们的行为证实了黑猩猩认为豹子是潜在的捕食者。我们的报告为其他非洲猿物种的描述增加了新的信息,并阐明了黑猩猩反捕食策略的行为特征。为了将来的调查,我们建议标记豹子以远程监测其运动,并允许评估相遇率作为影响捕食压力的几个因素之一。