Report on SAGA2/COE Joint
International Symposium
reported by Dora BIRO (Oxford Univ., UK) and Tetsuro
Matsuzawa (Kyoto Univ., Japan)
The SAGA2/COE Joint International Symposium
1999 held in Inuyama, Japan, brought together some of the most
established researchers of the Great Apes as well as an aspiring
next generation from all over the world. Much of the focus was
given to long-term studies that have contributed a great deal
to our understanding in the fields of ecology, sociology, ethology,
psychology, neuroscience, molecular biology, anthropology, and
paleontology. For this reason, it was perhaps fitting that the
country hosting this unique event was Japan, given the long history
of primatological research carried out by a distinguished line
of scientists from this island nation.
The meeting was opened by a plenary
talk delivered this year by Birute Galdikas. "Paradise in
Peril" recounted her journey through the years in search
of both knowledge about the orangutan itself and the possibility
to preserve this species' natural habitat. Threats to tropical
rainforests on Borneo are multiple in origin and a coordination
of efforts from all sides is clearly needed to counter recent
trends of destruction. The conservation warnings so impressively
put forward in this talk echoed through most of the oral sessions
that were to follow.
From the first day onward, poster sessions
were held every afternoon, covering a wide range of topics in
which all the apes as well as monkeys were well represented.
Five-minute talks, which all poster authors were encouraged to
give, provided young researchers in particular with an excellent
opportunity to practise public speaking and present their work
and ideas, in addition to allowing actual faces to accompany
often faceless poster titles.
18th November
Speakers during the first session, "Tools
and Culture" (Boesch, van Schail, and Matsuzawa), proposed
theoretical frameworks in evolutionary terms for cognitive traits,
material culture, and sociality. Findings from experimental work
in the laboratory were related to results from the field.
"Symbols" (Patterson, Boysen,
and Savage-Rumbaugh) provided an overview of longitudinal studies
of ape cognition in captivity, addressing the advantages and
potential drawbacks of raising apes in human environments. Individual
subjects' performance was compared to human children's development.
Current research on newly-emerging topics was also outlined.
The "DNA" (Paabo and Shen)
session which ended the first day of the meeting presented a
synthesis of findings focusing on genomic diversity among primates.
Speakers provided insight into the evolution of primate taxa
and gene function.
19th November
"Society" (Blockelman, Yamagiwa,
and Wrangham) reassessed ape social structure in the light of
new findings. The rules of primate social structure were found
to be more flexible than previously envisaged, but could nevertheless
be used as models to shed light on human social structure and
possible evolutionary scenarios.
Speakers at the "Molecular and
Neural Biology" (Saitou, Ely, and Erwin) session provided
a comprehensive review of molecular approaches currently used
to explore population genetics and the evolution of genes and
DNA in primates. The potential insights generated by the use
of chimpanzees as models in the study of human pathogens were
also discussed.
The second day concluded with "Origins"
(Thompson and Harcourt) consisting of proposals of bio-geographical
models for the evolution of primates using information of past
climate and geological changes, and species and habitat characteristics.
These models provided explanations for the current distribution
of Pan paniscus and for the relative inherent vulnerability of
different species of primates to extinction.
20th November
"Fossils" (Harriosn, Tuttle,
and Coppens) incorporated a review of phylogenetic relationships
in early catarrhines and early hominids, as assessed using the
fossil record and inferred environmental changes. The continuity
perceived between humans and apes in terms of morphological,
technological, and cultural traits was challenged.
"Sex" (Fruth, Wallis, and
Watts) explored the potential of sex as social tool and a means
of communication. Both intra- and inter-sexual patterns were
discussed, with particular focus on rank assessments, female
cycle synchrony, reciprocity, and reproductive success.
The final session of the meeting, "Behavior
and Cognition" (Van Elsacker and Rumbaugh), once again drew
together evidence from captivity and the wild, from different
species of primate and humans. A closing speech by Duane Rumbaugh
expressed well the heartfelt thanks of the participants to the
organising committee, as well as delivering a brief yet impressive
compendium of past and present studies of primates, and the assurance
that future directions are already crystallising.
In closing, it is worth remembering
that despite the multitude of disciplines from which speakers
were drawn - a range perhaps wider than ever before - all sessions
agreed on a crucial point. All incorporated, often as final thoughts,
a conservation warning. Whether dealing with great apes in the
wild or in the laboratory, the necessity for the establishment
for national laws on habitat conservation and captive welfare
was emphasised by many speakers.
In the business meetings for three days,
the participants discussed a lot about SAGA principles on the
conservation and welfare of the great apes, that was first announced
in November, 1998 in the first SAGA (Support for African/Asian
Great Apes) meeting where Jane Goodall and Jan van Hooff gave
plenary talks. SAGA principles consisted of the following three
agenda.
First, we shall undertake action for
the conservation of the great apes and their natural habitat.
Second, we shall endeavor to enhance the quality of life of the
great apes in captivity. Third, we shall not use the great apes
as subjects in invasive studies, but promote our scientific understanding
through noninvasive techniques.
For our purposes, the word “invasive”
refers to treatment that causes irreversible deficits of normal
function. In short, illegal or non-ethical treatment prohibited
in the case of human subjects is to be likewise prohibited in
the great apes.
In conclusion, the SAGA principles have
been fully approved by the following experts on the great apes
(in alphabetical order): James Anderson, Yves Coppens, Cristophe
Boesch, Warren Brockelman, Sarah Boysen, Linda Van Elsacker,
Barbara Fruth, Birute Galdikas, Jane Goodall, Alexander Harcourt,
Terry Harrison, Jan van Hooff, Hidemi Ishida, Junichiro Itani,
Takayoshi Kano, Masao Kawai, Tasuku Kimura, Shozo Kojima, Tetsuro
Matsuzawa, Toshisada Nishida, Francene Patterson, Duane Rumbaugh,
Naruya Saitou, Sue Savage-Rumbaugh, Carel van Schaik, James Shen,
Yukimaru Sugiyama, Osamu Takenaka, Jo Thompson, Russell Tuttle,
David Watts, Janette Wallis, Richard Wrangham, and Juichi Yamagiwa,