Genital wounding in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): targeted attacks or happenstance?

Massaro, A.P., Lonsdorf, E.V., Mwacha, D., Thompsom, M.E., Machanda, Z., Pruetz, J., Koops, K., Kaburu, S. ORCID: 0000-0001-7456-3269 and Wilson, M.L., 2024. Genital wounding in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): targeted attacks or happenstance? International Journal of Primatology. ISSN 0164-0291

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Abstract

Reports of primate violence frequently note wounds to the genital region, raising the possibility that attackers target genitals to eliminate the reproductive capacity of rivals. Alternatively, in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and other species with prominent genitals, injuries may occur simply because large size makes genitals easy targets. To test these hypotheses, we compiled records of wounds suffered by chimpanzees in four communities at three long-term study sites (Gombe, Tanzania; Kibale, Uganda; Fongoli, Senegal), including both nonlethal (N = 1,268 wounds; N = 891 male wounds; N = 377 female wounds) and lethal attacks (N = 258 wounds), to determine whether genital wounding occurred more frequently than expected by chance. In nonfatal cases, wounds occurred in the genital region more often than expected for females (Kasekela: N = 9/80 wounds, Mitumba: N = 8/61 wounds, Fongoli: N = 11/84 wounds, Kanyawara: N = 31/152 wounds), but only in Kasekela did males suffer genital wounds more often than expected by chance (Kasekela: N = 3/80 wounds, Mitumba: N = 2/48 wounds, Fongoli: N = 6/413 wounds, Kanyawara: N = 4/350 wounds). In contrast, killings of males involved genital wounds more often than expected (N = 12/258 wounds). Increased genital wounding may occur when genitals are more accessible, such as when females flee from male aggression, exposing their hindquarters, or when victims are immobilized during fatal attacks.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	International Journal of Primatology
Creators:	Massaro, A.P., Lonsdorf, E.V., Mwacha, D., Thompsom, M.E., Machanda, Z., Pruetz, J., Koops, K., Kaburu, S. and Wilson, M.L.
Publisher:	Springer
Date:	26 August 2024
ISSN:	0164-0291
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1007/s10764-024-00454-2 DOI 2202231 Other
Rights:	This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-024-00454-2
Divisions:	Schools > School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences
Record created by:	Jonathan Gallacher
Date Added:	28 Aug 2024 11:45
Last Modified:	28 Aug 2024 11:45
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/52114

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