scholarly journals Correction to: The Relationship Between Tool Use and Prey Availability in Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) of Northern Democratic Republic of Congo

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thurston C. Hicks ◽  
Hjalmar S. Kühl ◽  
Christophe Boesch ◽  
Steph B. J. Menken ◽  
John Hart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pan Troglodytes ◽  
Tool Use ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Pan Troglodytes Schweinfurthii ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
The Relationship

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Tool Use and Prey Availability in Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) of Northern Democratic Republic of Congo

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 936-959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thurston C. Hicks ◽  
Hjalmar S. Kühl ◽  
Christophe Boesch ◽  
Steph B. J. Menken ◽  
John Hart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pan Troglodytes ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Insect Species ◽  
Pan Troglodytes Schweinfurthii ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Encounter Rates ◽  
Behavioral Diversity ◽  
Ponerine Ants

AbstractA key feature of human behavioral diversity is that it can be constrained by cultural preference (“cultural override”); that is, population-specific preferences can override resource availability. Here we investigate whether a similar phenomenon can be found in one of our closest relatives, as well as the potential impacts of ecological differences on feeding behavior. Our study subjects were different subpopulations of Eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) occupying two very different habitats, moist tropical lowland forests vs. moist tropical forest–savanna mosaic on opposite sides of a major river. Given differences in encounter rates of different kinds of tool sites on both sides of the Uele River, we predicted that these subpopulations would differ in their likelihood of using tools to prey on two insect species despite similar availability. In surveys conducted over a 9-year period at 19 different survey regions in northern Democratic Republic of Congo (10 in lowland forest and 9 in mosaic), we collected and analyzed data on chimpanzee tool-assisted exploitation of insects. To determine the availability of insect species eaten by the chimpanzees, we counted insects and their mounds on transects and recces at 12 of these sites. For stick tools used to harvest epigaeic Dorylus and ponerine ants, we evaluated seasonal, geographical, and prey-availability factors that might influence their occurrence, using nest encounter rate as a proxy to control for chimpanzee abundance. Across the 19 survey regions spanning both sides of the Uele, we found little difference in the availability of epigaeic Dorylus and ponerine ants. Despite this, tool encounter rates for epigaeic Dorylus, but not ponerine, ants were significantly higher in the mosaic to the north of the Uele. Furthermore, we found no evidence for termite fishing anywhere, despite the availability of Macrotermes mounds throughout the region and the fact that chimpanzees at a number of other study sites use tools to harvest these termites. Instead, the chimpanzees of this region used a novel percussive technique to harvest two other types of termites, Cubitermes sp. and Thoracotermes macrothorax. This mismatch between prey availability and predation is consistent with cultural override, but given the different habitats on the two sides of the Uele River, we cannot fully rule out the influence of ecological factors. Comparing our findings with those of similar studies of other chimpanzee populations promises to contribute to our understanding of the evolution of behavioral diversity in humans and our closest cousins.

scholarly journals Why do wild bonobos not use tools like chimpanzees do?

Behaviour ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 152 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 425-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Furuichi ◽  
C. Sanz ◽  
K. Koops ◽  
T. Sakamaki ◽  
H. Ryu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tool Use ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Social Self ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Relative Profitability ◽  
Chimpanzee Population

One of the most conspicuous behavioural differences among great apes is the paucity of tool use among wild bonobos (Pan paniscus) in comparison to chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) who are one of the most prolific and skilled tool users in the animal kingdom. This is in spite of the fact that bonobo tool use repertories are as large and diverse as chimpanzees’ in captive settings. In this study, we compared tool using behaviours and potential drivers of these behaviours in the Wamba bonobo population located in central Democratic Republic of Congo with the Goualougo chimpanzee population of northern Republic of Congo. The tool use repertoire of wild bonobos was comprised of only 13 behaviours, compared to 42 for chimpanzees. However, the number of tool behaviours observed in each study site was similar between bonobos and chimpanzees, and many types of tool use for social, self-grooming/stimulation, and comfort/protection functions were commonly used by both species. A marked difference is that 25 of 42 tool behaviours exhibited by chimpanzees are performed for feeding, in contrast to a single report of bonobos using a leaf sponge to drink water. We examined whether the differences in tool use repertoires can be explained by the necessity, opportunity, relative profitability, or invention hypotheses. We found that habitat composition and fluctuation of fruit production at these two sites were similar, particularly when compared with variation observed between sites within each species. Thus it was unlikely that the necessity hypothesis explains the lack of tool use for feeding in bonobos. Though further study at Wamba is needed, we did not identify any obvious differences in prey availability that would indicate differences in tool using opportunities between the sites. This study could not test the relative profitability hypothesis, and further research is needed on whether tool use is the most efficient means of calorie or protein intake for wild apes. Bonobos at Wamba formed much larger and stable parties than chimpanzees at Goualougo, which was contrary to the prediction by the invention hypothesis. Another explanation is that differences in tool use behaviour between bonobos and chimpanzees might not be explained by the current ecological or social conditions, but rather by circumstances during the Pleistocene Epoch. The observed species differences might also reflect divergent behavioural predispositions, rather than actual differences in cognitive abilities.

scholarly journals The relationship between parent mental health and intimate partner violence on adolescent behavior, stigma and school attendance in families in rural Democratic Republic of Congo

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Glass ◽  
Anjalee Kohli ◽  
Pamela J. Surkan ◽  
Mitma Mpanano Remy ◽  
Nancy Perrin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
School Attendance ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Parent Mental Health ◽  
The Relationship

Background.Prolonged conflict and economic instability challenge the existing support networks in families and society places significant stress on both adults and adolescents. Exploring individual, family and social factors that increase the likelihood of or protect adolescents from negative outcomes are important to the development of evidence-based prevention and response programing in global settings.Objective.Examine the relationship between parent mental health and experience/perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) and adolescent behaviors, stigma, and school attendance. The relationship is further examined for differences by gender.Methods.Secondary analysis of data from an ongoing comparative effectiveness trial of a productive asset transfer program in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).Results.Three hundred and eighty-eight adolescent and parent dyads were included in the analysis. The analysis demonstrated that parent mental health and IPV can have a negative impact their children's well-being and the impact is different for boys and girls, likely linked to gender roles and responsibilities in the home and community. Social relationships of adolescents, as reported through experienced stigma, were negatively impacted for both boys and girls. Parent report of symptoms of PTSD and depression had a stronger negative effect on girls’ outcomes, including experienced stigma, externalizing behaviors, and missed days of school than boys. For adolescent boys, their parent's report of IPV victimization/perpetration was associated with more negative behaviors at the 8-month follow-up assessment.Conclusion.The findings reinforce the critical importance of interventions that engage parents and their children in activities that advance health and improve relationships within the family.

scholarly journals Job satisfaction and its relationship with organisational commitment: A Democratic Republic of Congo organisational perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy Mitonga-Monga ◽  
Aden-Paul Flotman ◽  
Frans Cilliers
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Performance Management ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
The Body ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Organisational Commitment ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
The Relationship

Orientation: The modern workplace, which is characterised by increasing turbulence and debilitating uncertainty, has led to renewed focus on whether employees experience satisfaction and how they commit themselves to the organisation.Research purpose: The aim of this study was to measure the nature of the relationship between employees’ levels of job satisfaction (JS) and organisational commitment (OC) in a public railway organisation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).Motivation for the study: Although previous researchers have found evidence of the relationship between JS and OC in Western countries, there seems to be a paucity of research on the relationship between JS and OC in a developing country context such as that of the DRC. The results could make a valuable contribution to the current literature debate on these two constructs (JS and OC) and possibly employees’ intention to stay in their present organisation.Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional survey design was used employing the Job Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Organisational Commitment Scale. The sample (n = 839) comprised permanently employed staff. Correlations and regression analyses were conducted. The results indicated that employees’ JS related positively to their level of OC and that JS predicted OC.Practical and managerial implications: The results should also have interesting implications for top management and human resource practitioners. They could use this information to study how organisational psychological attachment is fostered in order to potentially master other organisational dynamics. The information could also be used to create positive working conditions with a view to reinforcing OC. JS manifested as a critical driver of OC, which could result in superior business performance. Management could use the results to create a working environment that actively fosters satisfaction and boosts employees’ level of commitment.Contribution or value-add: The results should contribute to the body of knowledge on the relationship between JS and OC in the context of a developing economy and highlight the practical implications for line managers and behavioural and wellness practitioners.

scholarly journals Great apes in the Lake Tumba landscape, Democratic Republic of Congo: newly described populations

Oryx ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 532-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bila-Isia Inogwabini ◽  
Bewa Matungila ◽  
Longwango Mbende ◽  
Mbenzo Abokome ◽  
Tshimanga wa Tshimanga
Keyword(s):  
Pan Troglodytes ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Pan Paniscus ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Great Apes ◽  
Forest Resources ◽  
Terra Firma ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Relative Abundances ◽  
Marginal Habitats

AbstractOver 8 months we surveyed the Lake Tumba landscape, Democratic Republic of Congo, walking 86 km of transects and 324 km of reconnaissance, to document the distribution and estimate the abundance of great apes. Five separate groups of bonobo Pan paniscus were located in the areas of Bolombo-Losombo, Mbala-Donkese, Ngombe-Botuali, Botuali-Ilombe, and Mompulenge–Mbanzi-Malebo–Nguomi, and one population of chimpanzees Pan troglodytes in the Bosobele-Lubengo area. Mean bonobo densities ranged from 0.27 individuals km-2 in the vicinity of Lake Tumba to 2.2 individuals km-2 in the Malebo-Nguomi area. In the latter they appear to be living at a higher density than reported for any other site. This may be due to the area's forest-savannah mosaic habitat, which may provide year-round fruit sources, with bonobos falling back on savannah fruits when forest resources are scarce. The bonobos of the Bolombo-Losombo area and the Bosobele-Lubengo chimpanzees have low relative abundances and live in marginal habitats of islands of terra firma within inundated forests.

scholarly journals The relationship between interviewer-respondent familiarity and family planning outcomes in the Democratic Republic of Congo: a repeat cross-sectional analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e023069 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Anglewicz ◽  
Pierre Akilimali ◽  
Linnea Perry Eitmann ◽  
Julie Hernandez ◽  
Patrick Kayembe
Keyword(s):  
Family Planning ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Over Time

ObjectivesThe typical approach of survey data collection is to use interviewers who are not from the study site and do not know the participants, yet the implications of this approach on data quality have seldom been investigated. We examine the relationship between interviewer–respondent familiarity and selected family planning outcomes, and whether this relationship changes over time between 2015 and 2016.SettingWe use data from the Performance Monitoring and Accountability 2020 Project in Kongo Central Province, Democratic Republic of Congo.ParticipantsParticipants include representative samples of women of reproductive ages (15 to 49), 1565 interviewed in 2015 and 1668 in 2016. The study used a two-stage cluster design: first randomly selecting enumeration areas (EAs), then randomly selecting households within each EA.DesignWe first identify individual characteristics associated with familiarity between RE and respondent. Next, we examine the relationship between RE–respondent acquaintance and family planning outcomes. Finally, we use two waves of data to examine whether this relationship changes over time between 2015 and 2016.ResultsIn multivariate analysis, interviewer–respondent acquaintance is significantly associated with last birth unintended (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.17 to 3.13) and reported infertility in 2015 (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.03 to 4.95); and any contraceptive use (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.28), traditional contraceptive use (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.89), reported infidelity (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.02 to 3.49) and age at first sex (coefficient −0.48, 95% CI −0.96 to −0.01) in 2016. The impact of acquaintance on survey responses changed over time for any contraceptive use (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.33 to 3.30).ConclusionsThe standard in many large-scale surveys is to use interviewers from outside the community. Our results show that interviewer–respondent acquaintance is associated with a range of family planning outcomes; therefore, we recommend that the approach to hiring interviewers be examined and reconsidered in survey data collection efforts.

scholarly journals Sense of Coherence, Burnout, and Work Engagement: The Moderating Effect of Coping in the Democratic Republic of Congo

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 4127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy Mitonga-Monga ◽  
Claude-Hélène Mayer
Keyword(s):  
Work Engagement ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Relationship

Research on coping, sense of coherence, burnout, and work engagement is well documented in western countries. However, a void of studies exists on how coping mechanisms can moderate the relationship among sense of coherence, burnout, and work engagement in a manufacturing company in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The objective of this research was to examine the moderating effect of coping (COP) in the relationship between sense of coherence (SOC), burnout (BO), and work engagement (WE). The study employed a quantitative research approach, while participants were recruited through convenience sampling. A total of 197 employees (n = 197; females 40%) who are permanently employed in a manufacturing organisation in the DRC participated in the study voluntarily. The results indicate that coping related positively to a sense of coherence. Moreover, the results indicate that sense of coherence and work engagement related negatively to burnout. Furthermore, the results show that coping acted as a moderator in the relationships between variables. The study adds value to the WE theory by suggesting that an employee who has a high level of COP, high SOC, low level of BO, will positively engage, perform, and be productive.

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