Western gorilla diet: a synthesis from six sites

Area of Science:

• Primatology
• Ecology
• Conservation Biology

Background:

• Understanding the western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) diet is crucial for their conservation.
• Previous dietary studies were limited in scope and geographic coverage.
• A comprehensive analysis of western gorilla feeding ecology across their range is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To collate and analyze dietary information from six western gorilla study sites.
• To identify staple, seasonal, and fallback food resources.
• To reveal similarities and differences in diet across the species' range.

Main Methods:

• Compilation of food lists from six study sites using indirect evidence (feces) and observational data.
• Analysis of dietary data to identify key food items, species diversity, and plant families utilized.
• Comparison of dietary patterns across sites to identify geographic and historical influences.

Main Results:

• The western gorilla diet is highly eclectic, comprising up to 230 food items from 180 species.
• Fruit is a significant and consistent dietary component across all sites and seasons.
• Eight plant families were identified as important food sources at most sites, suggesting potential habitat predictability.
• Gorilla density appears linked to the availability of monocotyledonous plants.

Conclusions:

• Western gorilla diets are diverse and adaptable, with fruit playing a central role.
• Identifying key plant families could aid in predicting suitable gorilla habitats.
• Further research is needed to test the relationship between food plant density and gorilla population density.