A comparison of fecal sampling and direct feeding observations for quantifying the diet of a frugivorous primate

A comparative analysis of dietary assessment methods for eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda, revealed significant discrepancies between direct feeding observations and fecal sampling. While both methods similarly estimated the number of food species consumed monthly, they diverged sharply in assessing diet composition. Fecal samples notably underestimated flower and certain fruit consumption—seasonally dominant items observed at high rates during behavioral scans—while direct observations underrepresented leaves and pith intake. These findings underscore the importance of combining multiple methods to accurately monitor dietary trends, particularly for species with pronounced seasonal shifts.

Matthews, J. K., Ridley, A., Kaplin, B. A., & Grueter, C. C. (2019). A comparison of fecal sampling and direct feeding observations for quantifying the diet of a frugivorous primate. Current Zoology, 66(4), 333–343. https://doi.org/10.1093/cz/zoz058