The Cross River gorilla: Natural history and status of a neglected and critically endangered subspecies

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511542558.021

19 - The Cross River gorilla: Natural history and status of a neglected and critically endangered subspecies

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 August 2009

John F. Oates ,

Kelley L. McFarland ,

Jaqueline L. Groves ,

Richard A. Bergl ,

Joshua M. Linder and

Todd R. Disotell

Edited by

Andrea B. Taylor and

Michele L. Goldsmith

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John F. Oates: Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Hunter College, CUNY Graduate Center, 356 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, U.S.A.
Kelley L. McFarland: Affiliation:
PhD Program in Anthropology, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, U.S.A.
Jaqueline L. Groves: Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer BN1 9RH, U.K.
Richard A. Bergl: Affiliation:
PhD Program in Anthropology, CUNY Graduate Center, 356 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, U.S.A.
Joshua M. Linder: Affiliation:
PhD Program in Anthropology, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, U.S.A.
Todd R. Disotell: Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, New York University, 25 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10003, U.S.A.
Andrea B. Taylor: Affiliation:
Duke University, North Carolina
Michele L. Goldsmith: Affiliation:
Tufts University, Massachusetts

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Summary

In this chapter we summarize information on the morphology, genetics, and natural history of the West African gorilla population inhabiting the forests on the Nigeria–Cameroon border at the northern headwaters of the Cross River, a region at the western and northern limits of the species' range. A recent morphological analysis of skeletal specimens from this population has shown that they are sufficiently distinct from other western gorillas to justify being classified as the subspecies Gorilla gorilla diehli, a taxonomic name originally applied to them in the early twentieth century (Sarmiento and Oates, 2000). Just as the distinctiveness of the Cross River gorillas is being appreciated, their continued survival is in jeopardy. Recent surveys suggest that approximately 250 probably remain, concentrated in nine or more isolated hill areas. Because these gorillas are still hunted for their meat and parts of their habitat are under threat, they are one of Africa's most endangered primate taxa. After reviewing data on the status of the Cross River gorillas, our chapter ends by discussing some options for improving their prospects for survival.

In addition to the literature, the information we summarize derives from our own research: Field surveys in Nigeria (by JFO and KLM) and Cameroon (by JLG); an ecological study of a subpopulation inhabiting Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, Nigeria (by KLM); and the sequencing of mtDNA extracted from hairs of Nigerian gorillas shed into sleeping nests (by RAB and JML in the laboratory of TRD). All our results should be regarded as preliminary.

Type: Chapter
Information: Gorilla Biology
A Multidisciplinary Perspective
, pp. 472 - 497

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511542558.021 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2002

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19 - The Cross River gorilla: Natural history and status of a neglected and critically endangered subspecies

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