The Genetic Structure and Dispersal Patterns of the Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti)

Abstract

The goal of this study was to examine several aspects of the population genetics and population biology of the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee at seven sampling locations in the south of Taraba State, Nigeria. Three of the sampling locations are within GGNP and two are situated just outside the southern boundary of GGNP. The final two sampling locations are found within Ngel Nyaki forest reserve, at each of the two forest fragments inside the reserve. Ngel Nyaki forest reserve was the focus of the study and the principal goal was to 16 determine if the community of chimpanzees at Ngel Nyaki forest reserve has become isolated from the chimpanzees at GGNP using microsatellite loci extracted from non-invasive sources of DNA. In Chapter two, the methods used to extract and amplify the DNA and the protocols used to confirm the genotypes are outlined. Chapter three examines the population structure of the chimpanzees among the regions sampled in this study, particularly addressing the question as to whether the chimpanzees at Ngel Nyaki forest reserve are isolated from the chimpanzees at GGNP. Chapter four investigates patterns of sex biased dispersal in the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee. In Chapter five, population viability analysis is used to determine the fate of the chimpanzees at Ngel Nyaki forest reserve under a range of management scenarios. Chapter six summarizes the conclusions of the study and presents a conservation strategy to ensure the viability of the population of chimpanzees at Ngel Nyaki forest reserve.