Gorilla Biology: A Multidisciplinary Perspective

This page intentionally left blank Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology 35 Gorilla Biology A Multidisciplinary Perspective Gorillas are one of our closest living relatives, the largest of all living primates, and they teeter on the brink of extinction. These fascinating animals are the focus of this in-depth and comprehensive examination of gorilla biology. Gorilla Biology combines recent research in morphology, genetics, and behavioral ecology to reveal the complexity and diversity of gorilla populations. The first two sections focus on morphological and molecular variation and underscore the importance of understanding diverse biological patterns at all levels in testing evolutionary and adaptive hypotheses and elucidating subspecies and species diversification. The following section investigates the influence of ecological variables on gorilla social organization, and highlights the surprising behavioral flexibility of this genus. The book ends with discussions of the conservation status of gorillas and the many and increasing threats to their continued survival. Giving insight into the evolutionary biology of these unique primates, this book will be essential reading for primatologists, anthropologists, and evolutionary biologists. ANDREA B . TAYLOR is Assistant Professor in the Departments of Community and Family Medicine and Biological Anthropology and Anatomy at Duke University Medical Center. For the past 10 years she has studied the comparative anatomy of the African apes, focusing on the ontogeny of the musculoskeletal system to understand better the developmental and evolutionary basis of functional and adaptive differences in morphology. MICHELE L . GOLDSMITH is Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental and Population Health at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. As a primatologist, she has spent the past 12 years studying the comparative behavioral ecology of both lowland and mountain gorillas, and most recently is examining the impact of tourism on gorilla behavior. Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology Series Editors HUMAN ECOLOGY C. G. Nicholas Mascie-Taylor, University of Cambridge Michael A. Little, State University of New York, Binghamton GENETICS Kenneth M. Weiss, Pennsylvania State University HUMAN EVOLUTION Robert A. Foley, University of Cambridge Nina G. Jablonski, California Academy of Science PRIMATOLOGY Karen B. Strier, University of Wisconsin, Madison Consulting Editors Emeritus Professor Derek F. Roberts Selected titles also in the series 16 Human Energetics in Biological Anthropology Stanley J. Ulijaszek 0 521 43295 2 17 Health Consequences of ‘Modernisation’ Roy J. Shephard & Anders Rode 0 521 47401 9 18 The Evolution of Modern Human Diversity Marta M. Lahr 0 521 47393 4 19 Variability in Human Fertility Lyliane Rosetta & C. G. N. Mascie-Taylor (eds.) 0 521 49569 5 20 Anthropology of Modern Human Teeth G. Richard Scott & Christy G. Turner II 0 521 45508 1 21 Bioarchaeology Clark S. Larsen 0 521 49641 (hardback), 0 521 65834 9 (paperback) 22 Comparative Primate Socioecology P. C. Lee (ed.) 0 521 59336 0 23 Patterns of Human Growth, second edition Barry Bogin 0 521 56438 7 (paperback) 24 Migration and Colonisation in Human