The locomotor ecology of wild western lowland gorillas: How does the largest ape exploit complex arboreal environments?

ABSTRACT: Western lowland gorillas are the largest and most sexually dimorphic ape that habitually exploits arboreal environments. Their size, robust musculature and specialised adaptations in the hands and feet, which are suited for terrestrial quadrupedal locomotion, make them interesting models for understanding how great apes are able to exploit complex arboreal habitats. We present a comprehensive analysis of the arboreal locomotor ecology of western lowland gorillas by studying their behaviour and ecology in the context of their morphology. A group of fully habituated wild western lowland gorillas was followed for 12 months in Loango National Park, Gabon. Statistical analysis applying regression modelling and Akaike's Information Criterion was used to identify the relationships between locomot

SUBMITTER: King CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12779408 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature