Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) and their mammalian sympatriates: Mt. Assirik, Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal.

In intact, mosaic ecosystems, chimpanzees are sympatric with a wide range of other mammals, which may be predators, prey, or competitors. We delve beyond the nominal data of species lists to interval-level data on 35 medium-bodied and large-bodied mammals encountered at a hot, dry, and open field site in far West Africa. Frequency of encounter, habitat where found, and number of individuals encountered are analysed for species for which enough data were accumulated. Further, we compare findings over three periods (1976-1979, 2000, 2012). Species most often encountered were those normally classed as typical savanna forms. Even a crude classification into forest, woodland, and grassland ecotypes yields differences in species likely to meet apes. Comparison of encounter rates over time was surprisingly congruent, although not all species seen in the 1970s survived to the 2000s. Overall, Assirik's mammalian fauna is comparable to palaeo-faunal guilds sympatric with various extinct hominins.

Accuracy of medical staff assessment of trainees' operative performance.

The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of medical staff assessment of trainees' operative competence. Over 18 months all 36 basic surgical trainees in SE Scotland were evaluated at the end of each attachment by consultants and registrars on their ability to perform key operative procedures using a previously validated assessment form. Frequency of assessment was compared with: (1) trainee's recording of whether the specific assessor had actually directly supervised them performing the procedure and (2) number of supervised procedures performed by trainees as determined by logbook data. A high percentage of both assessor groups provided assessment of procedures which they had not observed. Only 19/102 consultants and 20/95 registrars assessed only those procedures directly observed. A median of 9% (range 0-54%) of staff provided assessment for procedures that trainees had never even performed during that attachment. Such discrepancy needs to be addressed if accurate assessment of competence is to be achieved by trainers.