This thesis compares the tool-using behaviors and environments of nine chimpanzee study sites. In addition, tool-use in other animals is discussed, as is the social behavior of chimpanzees and the different contributions of wild and laboratory studies. Research centers on two primary questions:
Do chimpanzee study sites differ significantly in the types of tool-using behaviors they employ?
Is the amount of tool-using behaviors related to annual variability in rainfall or the overall wetness of a site?
No significant differences exist between the different communities being studied. A significant correlation was found between diversity of tool-using behaviors and perhumidity index, a measure of overall wetness of a particular area. Finally, no correlations were found between diversity of tool-using behaviors and annual variability and rainfall. This analysis casts further doubt on the hypothesis that hominin technology evolved as a response to living in dryer, more open environments. / Tool-use and evolution -- Chimpanzee behavior -- Wild vs. captive studies -- Tool-use by chimpanzees -- Environment, study sites and methods -- Results / Department of Anthropology
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:123456789/197454 |
| Date | 20 July 2013 |
| Creators | Zajac, Adam J. |
| Contributors | Hogue, S. Homes |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
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