Testing the reliability of noninvasive genetic sampling by comparing analyses of blood and fecal samples in Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus).

Genetic studies of wild animal populations are often hindered by difficulties in obtaining blood samples. Recent advances in molecular biology have allowed the use of noninvasive samples as sources of DNA (e.g., hair or feces), but such samples may provide low-quality DNA and prevent the determination of true genotypes in subsequent DNA analysis. We present a preliminary study aimed at assessing the reliability of using fecal samples for genotyping in Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus). The test was performed on samples of blood and feces from 11 captive animals, using three dinucleotide microsatellites. The CTAB DNA extraction method was found to be the most relevant for Barbary macaque feces, yielding successful amplification at all loci for 70% of PCRs. All the fecal samples tested gave correct genotypes at least once for each locus when referenced against blood-derived genotypes. An average of 18.3% of PCRs displayed spurious genotypes (false homozygous or false allele). The minimum theoretical probability required to obtain a 100% accurate genotype is 0.74, based on the criterion that a correct genotype is assessed only if it was observed at least twice. The observed probability of obtaining a correct genotype from three PCRs, based on our genotyping results, was greater (0.81 on average) than the minimum threshold. In conclusion, our comparison of blood and fecal samples showed that fecal sampling is a reliable tool for the further study of wild Barbary macaque populations.

Is male-infant caretaking related to paternity and/or mating activities in wild Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus)?

In species with a promiscuous mating system, the functions of male-infant caretaking remain unclear in the absence of genetic paternity tests. We tested paternal investment and hypotheses concerning reproductive tactics in wild groups of Barbary macaques, including results of genetic paternity tests. Our study revealed that male-infant caretaking was not related to the probability of paternity. In principle, males could use access to females to estimate paternity. However, we found that mating success was not related to paternity, so males could invest in infants that they had not sired, and caretaking of non-offspring was actually observed. Accordingly, males might be 'deceived' with respect to their paternal investment. In that case, one would expect a positive relation between mating success and the subsequent rate of male caretaking of infants. Such a relation is also lacking, leading to comprehensive rejection of the paternal investment hypothesis in Barbary macaques. By contrast, there was evidence that males showing infant care achieved higher mating frequencies than other males with the mothers of the relevant infants. Thus, male Barbary macaques do not show a 'mate-then-care' pattern, but they do exhibit a 'care-then-mate' pattern.

Identification of Ebola virus sequences present as RNA or DNA in organs of terrestrial small mammals of the Central African Republic.

The life cycle of the Ebola (EBO) virus remains enigmatic. We tested for EBO virus in the organs of 242 small mammals captured during ecological studies in the Central African Republic. EBO virus glycoprotein or polymerase gene sequences were detected by reverse transcription PCR in RNA extracts of the organs of seven animals and by PCR in DNA extract of one animal. Neither live virus nor virus antigen was detected in any organ sample. Direct sequencing of amplicons identified the virus as being of the Zaire/Gabon subtype. Virus-like nucleocapsids were observed by electron microscopy in the cytoplasm of the spleen cells of one animal. The animals belonged to two genera of rodents (Muridae; Mus setulosus, Praomys sp1 and P. sp2) and one species of shrew (Soricidae; Sylvisorex ollula). These preliminary results provide evidence that common terrestrial small mammals living in peripheral forest areas have been in contact with the EBO virus and demonstrate the persistence of EBO virus RNA and DNA in the organs of the animals. Our findings should lead to better targeting of research into the life cycle of the EBO virus.

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) from sun-tailed monkeys (Cercopithecus solatus): evidence for host-dependent evolution of SIV within the C. lhoesti superspecies.

Recently we reported the characterization of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVlhoest) from a central African l'hoest monkey (Cercopithecus lhoesti lhoesti) that revealed a distant relationship to SIV isolated from a mandrill (SIVmnd). The present report describes a novel SIV (SIVsun) isolated from a healthy, wild-caught sun-tailed monkey (Cercopithecus lhoesti solatus), another member of the l'hoest superspecies. SIVsun replicated in a variety of human T-cell lines and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of macaques (Macaca spp.) and patas monkeys (Erythrocebus patas). A full-length infectious clone of SIVsun was derived, and genetic analysis revealed that SIVsun was most closely related to SIVlhoest, with an amino acid identity of 71% in Gag, 73% in Pol, and 67% in Env. This degree of similarity is reminiscent of that observed between SIVagm isolates from vervet, grivet, and tantalus species of African green monkeys. The close relationship between SIVsun and SIVlhoest, despite their geographically distinct habitats, is consistent with evolution from a common ancestor, providing further evidence for the ancient nature of the primate lentivirus family. In addition, this observation leads us to suggest that the SIVmnd lineage should be designated the SIVlhoest lineage.

Population structure and group composition of western lowland gorillas in north-western Republic of Congo.

Population studies are an essential part of conservation actions. Under exceptional observation conditions we studied a western lowland gorilla population visiting the Maya salt-clearing (north of the Parc national d'Odzala, P.N.O., Congo) over an 8 month period; 36 groups and 18 solitary individuals (a total of 420 individuals) have been identified visiting the clearing, which suggests a high gorilla density in the region. Ninety-six percent of the gorillas entered the clearing in groups. One-male groups had a mean size of 11.2. Ninety percent of solitary individuals were silver-back males. Compared with other populations of both lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas, the Maya population had the highest immature rate and the highest number of infants per female. Ecological correlates that could explain the attractiveness of the Maya clearing are discussed. The present status and the renewal rate of the Maya population indicate the need for further studies and confirm the importance of developing eco-tourism in this region as part of the sustainable park management activities developed by the ECOFAC programme (European Union). The results also provide arguments to support the proposal for extending the P.N.O. to include this region, which is rich in salt-clearings and attracts many other key-species of mammal such as forest elephants.

[Demography and reproduction of Macaca sylvanus in different habitats in Algeria]. / Démographie et reproduction de Macaca sylvanus dans différents habitats en Algérie.

Usually described as a cedar forest monkey, the Barbary macaque in effect has colonized a great variety of habitat types. At the moment, it is not known to what extent these different habitats are suitable for the species' survival. We tried to answer this question by comparing the demography of three monkey troops: one lives in a deciduous oak forest; the second lives in an nondeciduous cedar-green oak forest while the third is found on rocky ridges of mountains without any arborescent vegetation. In the three sites, there is a true seasonal breeding season with most births taking place in April to May and most matings occurring in November to December. Details are given on reproduction parameters (sexual activity of females; fertility rates; young survival...). Monkeys densities are higher in cedar forest than in deciduous forest. The smallest density is found on mountain ridges. Forest troops are more numerous, highly stable; their growth rate is better and the population is relatively young. The situation is slightly better still in the cedar forest than in the oak forest with a sex ratio more in favor of females and a better survival of the young. The troop of the mountain ridges is an unstable group ranging from 10 to 25 individuals; the population is aging, with a low birth rate and more male infants surviving compared with females. Demographic differences between sites are discussed according to climate, food availability and human influences (tree-clearing and overgrazing). Conclusions are drawn from this situation, for species conservation.

Fruit characters as a basis of fruit choice and seed dispersal in a tropical forest vertebrate community.

Interactions between a large community of vertebrate frugivore-granivores (including 7 species of large canopy birds, 19 species of rodents, 7 species of ruminants, and 6 species of monkeys), and 122 fruit species they consume, were studied for a year in a tropical rainforest in Gabon.The results show how morphological characters of fruits are involved in the choice and partitioning of the available fruit spectrum among consumer taxa. Despite an outstanding lack of specificity between fruit and consumer species, consideration of simple morphological traits of fruits reveals broad character syndromes associated with different consumer taxa. Competition between distantly related taxa that feed at the same height is far more important than has been previously supposed. The results also suggest how fruit characters could have evolved under consumer pressure as a result of consumer roles as dispersers or seed predators. Our analyses of dispersal syndromes show that fruit species partitioning occurs more between mammal taxa than between mammals and birds. There is thus a bird-monkey syndrome and a ruminant-rodent-elephant syndrome. The bird-monkey syndrome includes fruit species on which there is no pre-dispersal seed predation. These fruits (berries and drupes) are brightly colored, have a succulent pulp or arillate seeds, and no protective seed cover. The ruminant-rodent-elephant syndrome includes species for which there is pre-dispersal predation. These fruits (all drupes) are large, dull-colored, and have a dry fibrous flesh and well-protected seeds.

[Vocal behavior of adult males and superspecific organization in polyspecific troops of monkeys]. / comportement vocal des mâles adultes et organisation supraspécifique dans les troupes polyspécifiques de cercopithèques.

Analysis of the vocal behaviour of adult males from different species of Cercopithecus monkeys in a polyspecific troop shows important species differences, which suggest a superspecific organization upon which the extraordinary stability of certain polyspecific associations can depend. In the community studied, the male Cercopithecus pogonias generally controlled the formation and disbanding of polyspecific troops, coordinated their movements and the spacing between troops, while Cercopithecus cephus seemed to be the 'follower' species. However, the roles were divided for defence against predators: male C. pogonias gave warning of aerial predators, while male C. cephus generally gave the alarm against terrestrial predators.

A comparison of the diets of three major groups of primary consumers of Gabon (primates, squirrels and ruminants).

The diets of three major groups of frugivores-folivores of an African rain forest (squirrels, ruminants, primates) are compared and the relationship of food habits to body weight, habitat and foraging height examined. A number of common trends in the trophic patterns are found in the three groups. Over half of the fruit species identified in the diets of any one taxon are exploited in common with one or more of the others. The parts of fruit usually eaten are different for each group but for a number of species, the same fruit parts are searched for by the species of the three taxa.

[Growth, sexual maturity, social maturity and reproduction in African Forest Cercopithecines (author's transl)]. / Croissance, maturité sexuelle et sociale, reproduction chez les cercopithécinés forestiers africains

The onset of puberty in males is indicated by a strong increase of weight, appearance of specific displays and changes in the vocal repertoire. Male social maturity follows sexual maturity, but does not depend only on age; it results also from behavioural interactions with the male leader within the one-male group.