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Article

Composition of the diet of lowland gorillas at Lope in Gabon

Details

Citation

Williamson EA, Tutin CEG, Rogers ME & Fernandez M (1990) Composition of the diet of lowland gorillas at Lope in Gabon. American Journal of Primatology, 21 (4), pp. 265-277. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.1350210403

Abstract
This report describes the composition of the diet of lowland gorillas, Gorilla gorilla gorilla, at Lop¨¦ in central Gabon. This population inhabits mature evergreen tropical forest and is not habituated to human observers. Data were collected during 6 years of an ongoing long-term study, from feeding-trails and by direct observation, but mostly by fecal analysis. Gorillas ate 182 plant foods from 134 species and 36 families. The fruit diet was diverse: 95 species were consumed, most with succulent pulp, and some immature seeds were eaten. Fruit remains were recorded in 98% of dung. Vegetative parts of Aframomum and Marantaceae formed staple foods, as they were abundant, accessible, and available year-round. Soil and social insects were also ingested; remains of weaver ants were recorded in one third of feces. More foods have been recorded for gorillas at Lop¨¦ than elsewhere and this is the most frugivorous population studied so far.

Keywords
; Gorilla Gabon; Gorilla behavior; Gorilla Food preferences

Journal
American Journal of Primatology: Volume 21, Issue 4

StatusPublished
Publication date31/12/1990
Publication date online03/06/2005
URL
PublisherWiley-Liss / American Society of Primatologists
ISSN0275-2565
eISSN1098-2345

People (1)

Professor Liz Williamson

Professor Liz Williamson

Honorary Professor, Psychology