New evidence of baobab (Adansonia digitata) pounding by western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus)

Abstract

Percussive technology in wild chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ) shows significant behavioral variation across Africa. An example is baobab ( Adansonia digitata ) fruit pounding, which is only known to occur in the Bandafassi Arrondissement in the Kedougou region (Senegal) and in the Bafing area (Mali). The extent to which this proto-tool use behavior varies between populations is poorly understood. Here, we present a preliminary report of the baobab-pounding behavior of savanna chimpanzees from Dindefelo, Senegal. During the peak baobab fruiting season from November 2021 to January 2022, we obtained evidence of baobab pounding, both primate archaeological evidence (fruit remnants smeared on anvils and cracked, empty baobab shells) and camera trap recordings. We also studied chimpanzee baobab consumption using macroscopical fecal analysis. In addition, in the peak baobab fruiting season from 2019 to 2020, we opportunistically obtained hand-held camera videos of baobab pounding. Dindefelo chimpanzees opened baobab using two pounding and one non-percussive techniques. We recorded all age and sex classes performing baobab pounding, although only adolescents and adults succeeded in opening the fruit. Baobab pounding occurred on the ground (against rocks and baobab roots) and on the trees (against baobab horizontal branches). The apes held the fruit by the stem or the pericarp while cracking it against an anvil. In addition, the fecal analysis data suggest that baobab seed reingestion is common at Dindefelo. These findings expand our knowledge on the diversity of chimpanzee baobab-pounding behavior.

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