University of Wisconsin–Madison

New paper out of our research group on fungi in chacma baboon diet!

We have a new paper out in the American Journal of Primatology! “Fungal diversity and potential health benefits of mycophagy in chacma baboons (Papio ursinus)” is open access and can be found here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajp.70146

We identified 10 species of fungi consumed by chacma baboons in Nature’s Valley, South Africa, and discussed the potential health implications of consumption of these fungi! This paper and baboon mycophagy project is a collaboration with Dr. Kris Sabbi, Dr Hendri Coetzee, and Nature’s Valley Baboon Project team members.

Below and in the article are pictured chacma baboons eating identified fungi.

Baboon eating a deer mushroom
A juvenile female baboon eats a deer mushroom (Pluteus cervinus).
(photo by Nature’s Valley Baboon Project)
Baboon eating a false turkey-tail mushroom
A juvenile male baboon eats false turkey-tail (Stereum ostrea).
(photo by Nature’s Valley Baboon Project)