Mountain Gorillas
Three Decades of Research at Karisoke

Summary of 30 years research on mountain gorillas at Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda.

Martha M. Robbins (Edited by), Pascale Sicotte (Edited by), Kelly J. Stewart (Edited by)

9780521780049, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 19 July 2001

448 pages, 64 b/w illus. 44 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.9 cm, 0.83 kg

'… a solid and easily accessible summary of the work at Karisoke over the past decades … I already look forward to a follow-up volume.' Carel P. van Schaik, International Journal of Primatology

For the past three decades the mountain gorillas of Karisoke Research Center have been the subject of many studies focusing on their behaviour and ecology. Long-term observations on known individuals, from birth to death, and data on social behaviour within and between groups have led to an understanding of many aspects of gorilla social structure. The findings have made significant contributions to models of comparative primate behavioural ecology. Mountain gorillas have also been the focus of intense conservation efforts, which have become a model for conservation programs elsewhere. While most research has focused on mountain gorillas, data on the other two recognised subspecies have increased over the past twenty years. This book highlights and summarises some of the behavioural, ecological and conservation work on mountain gorillas, and makes comparisons with findings from other study sites. It represents the most up-to-date and diverse collection of information available on this endangered ape.

1. Mountain gorillas of the Virungas: a short history Kelly J. Stewart, Pascale Sicotte and Martha M. Robbins
Part I. Variation in the Social System of Gorillas: 2. Variation in the social system of mountain gorillas: the male perspective Martha M. Robbins
3. Female mate choice in mountain gorillas Pascale Sicotte
4. Dispersal patterns, group structure and reproductive parameters of eastern lowland gorillas at Kahuzi in the absence of infanticide Juichi Yamagiwa and Alastair McNeilage
Part II. Within-group Social Behaviour: 6. Development of infant independence from the mother in wild mountain gorillas Alison Fletcher
7. The social relationships of immature gorillas and silverbacks Kelly J. Stewart
8. Social relationships of female mountain gorillas David P. Watts
9. Vocal relationships of wild mountain gorillas A. H. Harcourt and Kelly J. Stewart
Part III. Feeding Behaviour: 10. Diet and habitat use of two mountain gorilla groups in contrasting habitats in the Virungas Alastair McNeilage
11. Clever hands: the food processing skills of mountain gorillas Richard W. Byre
Part IV. Conservation and Management of Mountain Gorillas: 12. Assessment of reproduction and stress through hormone analysis in gorillas Nancy Czekala and Martha M. Robbins
13. Clinical medicine, preventive health care and research on mountain gorillas in the Virunga volcano region Anthony B. Mudakikwa, Michael R. Cranfield, Jonathon M. Sleeman and Ute Eilenberger
14. Conservation oriented research in the Virunga region Andrew J. Plumptre and Elizabeth A. Williamson
15. Status of the Virunga mountain gorilla population H. Dieter Steklis and Netzin Gerald-Steklis
Afterward: Mountain gorillas at the turn of the century Bill Weber and Amy Vedder.

Subject Areas: Human biology [PSX], Primates [PSVW79], Animal ecology [PSVS], Animal behaviour [PSVP], Zoology & animal sciences [PSV], Physical anthropology [JHMP]