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Brief communication: arboreal bipedalism in Bwindi chimpanzees
1Jane Goodall Research Center, Department of Anthropology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-0032, USA. stanford@usc.edu
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
|September 5, 2002
Summary
Wild chimpanzees in Uganda exhibited frequent arboreal bipedalism while feeding. This behavior, involving various postures, may offer insights into the evolution of human (hominid) bipedalism.
Area of Science:
- Primate Behavior
- Evolutionary Biology
- Paleoanthropology
Background:
- Bipedalism in nonhuman primates is crucial for understanding hominid bipedalism origins.
- Arboreal bipedalism is considered rare in wild chimpanzees.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the form and function of bipedal behavior in wild chimpanzees.
- To assess the frequency and context of arboreal bipedalism in chimpanzees feeding in Ficus trees.
Main Methods:
- Observation of chimpanzee behavior in the Ruhija community, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda.
- Recorded 78 bipedal bouts of at least 5 seconds duration.
- Documented variations in bipedal postures and integration with other locomotor behaviors.
Main Results:
- An exceptional frequency of arboreal bipedalism was observed during feeding in May 2001.
- Recorded 0.49 bipedal bouts per hour, with a mean duration of 13.7 seconds.
- Observed diverse bipedal postures, including erect standing, single-leg stances, and extended-lean standing.
Conclusions:
- Arboreal bipedalism is an important posture for wild chimpanzees under specific ecological conditions.
- Bipedalism was integrated with brachiation, suspension, and forelimb-supported standing for efficient foraging.
- This behavior may represent a significant precursor to the evolution of terrestrial bipedalism in hominids.