Publication

Anthropization processes affect wildlife feeding behaviours due to changes in resource availability related to land use and land cover change. To better understand the ecological responses of wildlife towards anthropogenic change, it is essential to evaluate whether human land use, characterized by high human-modified food availability, has an impact on wild animal feeding ecology. The chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) is interesting to study potential diet changes as it is largely present along a gradient of anthropized areas in Southern Africa. In this study, fecal samples from chacma baboon troops were collected in different land use habitats (peri-urban, agricultural and natural forest habitat) in the Garden Route, South Africa, and their isotopic ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) measured. Results showed significant differences between δ15N ratios according to land use, indicating significant higher protein intake in areas with human influence in comparison to natural forest habitats. Furthermore, the large majority of the collected samples were contained within the bracket that reflect the C3 ecosystem of the Garden Route region, with the exception of some samples showing higher δ13C ratios associated with the consumption of anthropogenic foods (containing sugar, corn and wheat). The potential protein increase, as well as sources of C4 plants present in the diets in anthropized areas suggests a visible dietary shift for this species between natural and transformed landscapes. In the future, it will be essential to determine whether and how the consumption of human-modified food could affect the health and associated fitness of chacma baboons.

In the course of their evolution, just as humans have colonized every corner and biome of our planet, chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) have explored a wide variety of territories in southern Africa (from Namibia to Mozambique to South Africa). This non-human primate species is indeed present in savannahs, low and high grasslands, coastal and mountain forests, as well as in more extreme environments such as high-altitude mountains (>3,280 m in South Africa) or deserts (Namibian Desert, Karoo in South Africa). Their presence in such a diversity of environments reflects their incredible ability to adapt to different and variable natural conditions. Over the course of their history, chacma baboons have been confronted with the arrival of human populations that have resulted in significant modifications to the landscape that have become increasingly fragmented. Faced with this fragmentation of the natural landscapes, chacma baboons, like other animal species, began to colonize increasingly anthropized environments. It is well known that these anthropogenic alterations are major factors affecting primate populations worldwide, including in Africa. Through the colonization of these increasingly anthropized environments, chacma baboons have faced new conditions that differ from their natural environments, including exposure to as a first factor a new human modified diet, but also then new pathogens, and different hazards, to name but a few. Then, this transition from a natural environment to an increasingly anthropized environment raises a key question: What are the consequences of this transition from a natural diet to an anthropogenic diet, characterized as rich in carbohydrates and fats, on the gut microbiome and health of chacma baboons? Link to apply to the doctoral competition E2M2 Lyon, France : https://e2m2.universite-lyon.fr/medias/fichier/sujete2m2-2023-virginierougeronfrancais_1683033723130-pdf?ID_FICHE=99693 To get more details about the project and apply, please contact: virginie.rougeron@cnrs.fr

The goal of this PhD project will be to get a better understanding of the evolution, history and adaptation of chacma baboons in different environments (i.e. biomes). From modern tissue and ancient (archeological) remains collected in different biomes in South Africa, full genomic information will be generated using high throughput sequencing strategies. To do so, the PhD student will have to extract all modern samples for their DNAs, that will be sent for sequencing (bench laboratory work). For archeological remains, all remains will be treated in a dedicated ancient DNA laboratory (Orlando Ludovic Laboratory, France). Sequences obtained will be then analyzed using sets of bio-informatics and population genetics tools. This will allow the student to elucidate the evolutionary origin and history of chacma baboons as well as to look for their key genetic adaptations in specific environments. This project will allow to get new information about the genetic basis of chacma baboons adaptation that enable these wild animals to become successful species in a large diversity of environments, which is a key question in the study of animal biology and conservation. Candidates should have a MSc Honours degree (or equivalent), formation in molecular biology (experience in a laboratory will be a plus), genetics and bioinformatics (expected very good experience in different bioinformatic languages) as well as a valid driver’s licence. Preference will be given to South African students. Students will be based at the Nelson Mandela University’s George Campus. A bursary of R120 000 per year is offered for a period of 3 years (Mars 2023 – February 2026). Candidate are expected to apply to NRF and PJRS bursaries from 2023. Supervisors: Virginie Rougeron (Research Associate at NMU, CRCN at CNRS) and Franck Prugnolle (Research Associate at NMU and DR1 at CNRS), both evolutionary biologists and geneticists, will be the main co-supervisors of this PhD thesis. Michael Fontaine (CR CNRS), specialist in genomics and evolutionary adaptation of organisms in conservation, will co-supervised the student. Contact: virginie.rougeron@cnrs.fr