Mimi Arandjelovic, Ph.D.
Co-Director
Pan African Programme: The Cultured Chimpanzee
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany &
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle - Jena - Leipzig
Personal Statement
I am a biologist whose research has primarily focused on primate genetics, molecular ecology and conservation biology. My current role as co-director of the Pan African Programme : The Cultured Chimpanzee (PanAf) is focused on studying chimpanzee ecology and evolution from all four Pan troglodytes subspecies from over 40 temporary research sites across Africa. The programme takes a holistic approach to studying chimpanzee culture and combines modern approaches like video camera traps and samples for genetic, microbiotic, pathogenic and isotopic analyses with traditional field approaches such as transects, phenology and habitat structure. The data generated by the project has broad implications for the conservation of African primates and other species sympatric to them, as well as understanding the population history of chimpanzees and the factors currently contributing to their distribution and survival. Now that field work has been completed, I currently lead and co-lead the PanAf projects focused on chimpanzee genetics, genomics and microbiome, as well as our citizen science project Chimp&See and our AI platform for automated species detection from camera trap videos, ZambaCloud.
My doctoral and post-doctoral research focused on developing precise and accurate methods of monitoring great apes. As most primates tend to live in low visibility environments, are cryptic and are generally sparsely distributed it has been very difficult to obtain population estimates for almost all great ape subspecies. Bushmeat hunting, habitat destruction from agricultural and industrial development (logging, mining and oil extraction), disease epidemics, and civil unrest have all caused documented declines in great ape numbers and genetic diversity, yet, the extent and magnitude of the declines are poorly known. My work focused on extracting DNA from non-invasively collected materials (feces) to monitor and study apes without capturing or even observing the individuals under study.
My PhD focused on samples from Loango National Park, Gabon and demonstrated that genetic capture-recapture is an accurate and precise method for ape population estimation and an improvement over traditional methods of estimating ape population size. Furthermore, I was able to show that minimum number of ape groups, their composition and ranging patterns as well as individual cases of dispersal, group dissolutions and formations can also be obtained from the same samples. For gorillas, I was also able to establish kin relationships for several of the groups and to test hypotheses about kin structure across groups in the species, all from non-invasively and opportunistically collected samples. When properly designed and implemented as part of a long-term biomonitoring program, genetic capture-recapture is an invaluable tool for evaluating, even on a large scale, the population size and dynamics of apes and other elusive species.
My current research focus is on developing cheaper and more efficient means of using non-invasive samples for genetic amplification to use in biomonitoring activities and assess the potential of using conservation genomics from fecal samples to better understand the evolutionary trajectories of great apes. I am active as an independent conservation consultant specializing in genetic surveys and assessments as they relate to great ape monitoring and act as genetic co-chair for the Western Chimpanzee Action Plan (WCAP).
My doctoral and post-doctoral research focused on developing precise and accurate methods of monitoring great apes. As most primates tend to live in low visibility environments, are cryptic and are generally sparsely distributed it has been very difficult to obtain population estimates for almost all great ape subspecies. Bushmeat hunting, habitat destruction from agricultural and industrial development (logging, mining and oil extraction), disease epidemics, and civil unrest have all caused documented declines in great ape numbers and genetic diversity, yet, the extent and magnitude of the declines are poorly known. My work focused on extracting DNA from non-invasively collected materials (feces) to monitor and study apes without capturing or even observing the individuals under study.
My PhD focused on samples from Loango National Park, Gabon and demonstrated that genetic capture-recapture is an accurate and precise method for ape population estimation and an improvement over traditional methods of estimating ape population size. Furthermore, I was able to show that minimum number of ape groups, their composition and ranging patterns as well as individual cases of dispersal, group dissolutions and formations can also be obtained from the same samples. For gorillas, I was also able to establish kin relationships for several of the groups and to test hypotheses about kin structure across groups in the species, all from non-invasively and opportunistically collected samples. When properly designed and implemented as part of a long-term biomonitoring program, genetic capture-recapture is an invaluable tool for evaluating, even on a large scale, the population size and dynamics of apes and other elusive species.
My current research focus is on developing cheaper and more efficient means of using non-invasive samples for genetic amplification to use in biomonitoring activities and assess the potential of using conservation genomics from fecal samples to better understand the evolutionary trajectories of great apes. I am active as an independent conservation consultant specializing in genetic surveys and assessments as they relate to great ape monitoring and act as genetic co-chair for the Western Chimpanzee Action Plan (WCAP).
last updated Jan 2022