Sylvain Lemoine

Primatology and primate behavioural ecology focusing on inter-group competition, cooperation, culture and human-primate interfaces

Research Area

I study the behaviour, ecology and evolution of non-human primates, with specific focuses on the links between inter-group competition, in-group cooperation and territorial adaptations; on the role of human-primate interface in shaping primate cultures and traditions; and on the effect of new environments and anthropogenic pressure on behavioural adaptations, flexibility, health, conservation and population dynamics. I’m also interested in how non-human primates approach the alterity in the context of intraspecific and interspecific interactions and competition. Combining non-invasive behavioural observations in the field and captivity with biological and environmental sampling and experimental approaches, I address questions related to the evolution of cooperation, evolution of warfare and xenophobia, and how animal cultures and local traditions are shaped by new challenges that primates face when living in co-existence with humans. My research uses standard behavioural observation protocols and non-invasive biological sampling (feaces, urine) used for population genetics, epigenetics and microbiome assessments in link with environmental, social and anthropogenic pressures and influences. I specifically work and study the Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus) population of Gibraltar since 2022, the Western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) population of Tai, Ivory Coast, and I’m developing field sites in other human-primate interfaces such as several localities in South-East Asia.

Project Interests

I’m interested in developing projects using long-term data collected on the Barbary macaque population of Gibraltar since 2022 (behaviour, but also faecal and soil samples), that can be complemented with more fieldwork data collection, to address questions related to animal cultures, inter-group interactions, in-group sociality and tolerance, health and conservation, and overall the influence of anthropogenic pressure on primate behaviour, adaptations and health. I’m also very kin in accepting projects proposing their own study on other primate populations (wild, semi-free ranging and captive), especially in human-primate interfaces (but not only), and projects related to primate interspecies competition and interactions.