Premium
Tool‐use by free‐ranging chimpanzees: the extent of diversity
Author(s) -
McGrew W. C.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1992.tb04469.x
Subject(s) - troglodytes , biology , subsistence agriculture , ecology , diversity (politics) , zoology , anthropology , sociology , agriculture
Most populations of free‐ranging chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes, Pongidae ) across Africa use tools. This is equally true of wild and released populations and of all three geographical races. The few that do not use tools have yet to be thoroughly studied, but tool‐use seems species‐typical. No patterns of tool‐use are universal, although most function to facilitate subsistence. Even in preying on termites (Macrotermitinae, especially Macrotermes spp.) a variety of tools and techniques are shown, and many cross‐populational contrasts emerge. Regional differences exist, such as nut‐cracking with hammer‐and‐anvil being confined to the far western sub‐species. Continuing comparative study is needed.