Baboons (Papio spp.) constitute an important model in the study of primate social evolution as they show considerable variation in many aspects of their social behavior. While most taxa have been well studied, less was known about Guinea baboons (P. papio). Previous observations indicated that they differ from other baboon taxa, for example by exhibiting high rates of male-male affiliation. Comparative analyses of their social and communicative behavior, ecology, and population genetic structure is expected to reveal insights into the selective forces shaping primate social evolution.
In 2007, we initiated a long term study on wild Guinea baboons. The study community ranges near the field station “Centre de Recherche de Primatology (CRP) Simenti” located in the Niokolo Koba National Park in Senegal. Currently, several subgroups including more than 180 individuals are under study. We also study the local Green monkeys.