Max-Planck-InstitutDepartment of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture
Deutscher Platz 6
04103 Leipzig
phone: +49 (0)341 3550 - 315
fax: +49 (0)341 3550 - 333
e-mail: cissewski@eva.mpg.de
Liran Samuni
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture
Deutscher Platz 6
D - 04103 Leipzig, Germany
phone: +49 341 3550 262
e-mail: liran_samuni@[>>> Please remove the brackets! <<<]eva.mpg.de
Research interests
My primary research interest is in the evolution of sociality, communication and social cognition. In particular, I am interested in the link between cooperation and the formation and maintenance of enduring social-bonds, in highly gregarious species that maintain complex social systems. Despite the prevalence of cooperative behaviour between kin and non-kin individuals among different taxa, and its role in shaping unique cognitive features, little is known regarding the underlying mechanisms that support it. Therefore, I find particularly interesting the interaction between physiology and behaviour, and its potential role in shaping and promoting extreme forms of positive social interactions, such as cooperative acts usually reserved for kin.
I am currently investigating different aspects of cooperative behaviour, and its association with the strength and stability of social bonds, studying wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus), at the Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire.
This project is funded by the Max Planck Society and the Minerva Stiftung
© L. Samuni
Curriculum Vitae
Education
| 2013 – present | PhD candidate Leipzig School of Human Origins student at Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig Germany Dissertation: “Underlying mechanisms of cooperation and social bonds in wild chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes): a behavioural and physiological perspective” |
| 2012 | MSc. Animal Behaviour Thesis title: “The habituation process and its effects on a wild chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) community” |
| 2007 – 2010 | Honours BSc. Life Science |
Work and Field experience
| 2011 – 2012 | Budongo Conservation Field Station, Budongo forest, Uganda Habituation team leader – Tracking and observing wild chimpanzees. |
| 2005 – 2011 | Zoological center “Safari”, Ramat-Gan, Israel Zoo keeper – Preparing balanced diet, keeping the enclosure clean and safe, and providing environmental enrichment to captive zoo animals. Zoo teacher/guide – Teaching zoology, conservation and sustainability. |
| 2009 | Israeli Zoo Association & Tel-Aviv university, Israel Research assistant – Collecting behavioural data for a project investigating stereotypic and abnormal behaviour in captive non-human primates. |
| 2007 | “Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi”, Ambu Ari, Bolivia Volunteer – Rehabilitation wildlife refuge. Supporting sheltered animals and participating in environmental education programs at the surrounding communities. |
Publications
Cheng, L., Lucchesi, S., Mundry, R., Samuni, L., Deschner, T., & Surbeck, M. (2021). Variation in aggression rates and urinary cortisol levels indicates intergroup competition in wild bonobos. Hormones and Behavior,128: 104914.  Open Access DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Mielke, A., Preis, A., Samuni, L., Gogarten, J. F., Lester, J. D., Crockford, C., & Wittig, R. M. (2021). Consistency of social interactions in sooty mangabeys and chimpanzees. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution,8: 603677. Open Access DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Samuni, L., Crockford, C. ǂ., & Wittig, R. M. (2021). Group-level cooperation in chimpanzees is shaped by strong social ties. Nature Communications,12: 539. Open Access DOI BibTeX Endnote |
| Crockford, C., Samuni, L., Vigilant, L., & Wittig, R. M. (2020). Postweaning maternal care increases male chimpanzee reproductive success. Science Advances,6(38): eaaaz5746. Open Access DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Fedurek, P., Tkaczynski, P., Asiimwe, C., Hobaiter, C., Samuni, L., Lowe, A. E., Dijrian, A. G., Zuberbühler, K., Wittig, R. M., & Crockford, C. (2020). Maternal cannibalism in two populations of wild chimpanzees. Primates,61, 181-187. Open Access DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Girard-Buttoz, C., Surbeck, M., Samuni, L., Boesch, C., Fruth, B., Crockford, C., Hohmann, G., & Wittig, R. M. (2020). Variable use of polyadic grooming and its effect on access to social partners in wild chimpanzees and bonobos. Animal Behavior,168, 211-224. Open Access DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Girard-Buttoz, C., Surbeck, M., Samuni, L., Tkaczynski, P. J., Boesch, C., Fruth, B., Wittig, R. M., Hohmann, G., & Crockford, C. (2020). Chimpanzees outperform bonobos at an experimental cooperative task in the wild: Information transfer around a stationary danger. Folia Primatologica,91(3), 255-256. DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Girard-Buttoz, C., Surbeck, M., Samuni, L., Tkaczynski, P. J., Boesch, C., Fruth, B., Wittig, R. M., Hohmann, G., & Crockford, C. (2020). Information transfer efficiency differs in wild chimpanzees and bonobos, but not social cognition. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences,287(1929): 20200877. Open Access DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Girard-Buttoz, C., Tkaczynski, P. J., Samuni, L., Fedurekt, P., Gomes, C., Löhrich, T., Manin, V., Preis, A., Valé, P. D., Deschner, T., Wittig, R. M., & Crockford, C. (2020). Early maternal loss affects diurnal cortisol slopes in immature but not mature wild chimpanzees. bioRxiv. DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Lemoine, S., Boesch, C., Preis, A., Samuni, L., Crockford, C. ǂ., & Wittig, R. M. (2020). Group dominance increases territory size and reduces neighbor pressure in wild chimpanzees. Royal Society Open Science,7(5): 200577. Open Access DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Lemoine, S., Preis, A., Samuni, L., Boesch, C., Crockford, C. ǂ., & Wittig, R. M. (2020). Between-group competition impacts reproductive success in wild chimpanzees. Current Biology,30(2), 312-318. Open Access DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| McCarthy, M., Despres-Einspenner, M.-L., Farine, D. R. F., Samuni, L., Angedakin, S., Arandjelovic, M., Boesch, C., Dieguez, P., Havercamp, K., Knight, A., Langegraber, K. E., & Kühl, H. S. (2020). Camera traps offer a robust means for social network analysis in wild chimpanzees. Folia Primatologica,91(3), 347. DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Patrono, L. V., Pléh, K., Samuni, L., Ulrich, M., Röthemeier, C., Sachse, A., Muschter, S., Nitsche, A., Couacy-Hymann, E., Boesch, C., Wittig, R. M., Calvignac-Spencer, S., & Leendertz, F. H. (2020). Monkeypox virus emergence in wild chimpanzees reveals distinct clinical outcomes and viral diversity. Nature Microbiology,5, 955-965. DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Samuni, L., Tkaczynski, P. J., Deschner, T., Löhrrich, T., Wittig, R. M., & Crockford, C. (2020). Maternal effects on offspring growth indicate post-weaning juvenile dependence in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus). Frontiers in Zoology,17: 1. Open Access DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Samuni, L., Wegdell, F., & Surbeck, M. (2020). Behavioural diversity of bonobo prey preference as a potential cultural trait. eLife,9: e59191. Open Access DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Tkaczynski, P. J., Behringer, V., Ackermann, C., Fedrurek, P., Fruht, B., Girard-Buttoz, C., Hobaiter, C., Lee, S., Löhrich, T., Preis, A., Samuni, L., Zommers, Z., Zuberbühler, K., Deschner, T., Wittig, R. M., Hohmann, G., & Crockford, C. (2020). Patterns of urinary cortisol levels during ontogeny appear population- rather than species-specific in wild chimpanzees and bonobos. Journal of Human Evolution,147: 102869. DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Tkaczynski, P. J., Mielke, A., Samuni, L., Preis, A., Wittig, R. M., & Crockford, C. (2020). Long-term repeatability in social behaviour suggests stable social phenotypes in wild chimpanzees. Royal Society Open Science,7(8): 200454. Open Access DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Tkaczynski, P. J., Samuni, L., Sonnweber, R., Deschner, T., Vigilant, L., Löhrrich, T., Wittig, R. M., & Crockford, C. (2020). Mum’s the word: The lasting impacts of maternal loss on offspring survival, growth and reproductive success in wild chimpanzees. Folia Primatologica,91(3), 276-277. DOI BibTeX Endnote |
| McCarthy, M., Despres-Einspenner, M.-L., Farine, D. R., Samuni, L., Angedakin, S., Arandjelovic, M., Boesch, C., Dieguez, P., Havercamp, K., Knight, A., Langergraber, K. E., Wittig, R. M., & Kühl, H. S. (2019). Camera traps provide a robust alternative to direct observations for constructing social networks of wild chimpanzees. Animal Behaviour,157, 227-238. DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Preis, A., Samuni, L., Deschner, T., Crockford, C. ǂ., & Wittig, R. M. (2019). Urinary cortisol, aggression, dominance and competition in wild, West African male chimpanzees. Frontiers im Ecology and Evolution,7: 107. Open Access DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Preis, A., Samuni, L., Deschner, T., Crockford, C., & Wittig, R. M. (2019). Group specific social dynamics affect urinary ocytocin levels in Tai male chimpanzees. In C. Boesch, & R. M. Wittig ( BibTeX Endnote | |
| Samuni, L., Mielke, A., Preis, A., Crockford, C. ǂ., & Wittig, R. M. (2019). Intergroup competition enhances chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) in-group cohesion. International Journal of Primatology,41, 342-362. Open Access DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Samuni, L., Preis, A., Deschner, T., Wittig, R. M., & Crockford, C. (2019). Cortisol and oxytocin show independent activity during chimpanzee intergroup conflict. Psychoneuroendocrinology,104, 165-173. DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Samuni, L., Wittig, R. M., & Crockford, C. (2019). Adoption in the Tai chimpanzees costs, benefits, and strong social relationships. In C. Boesch, & R. M. Wittig ( BibTeX Endnote |
| McCarthy, M., Despres-Einspenner, M.-L., Samuni, L., Mundry, R., Lemoine, S., Preis, A., Wittig, R. M., Boesch, C., & Kühl, H. S. (2018). An assessment of the efficacy of camera traps for studying demographic composition and variation in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). American Journal of Primatology,80(9): e22904. DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Mielke, A., Preis, A., Samuni, L., Gogarten, J. F., Wittig, R. M., & Crockford, C. (2018). Flexible decision-making in grooming partner choice in sooty mangabeys and chimpanzees. Royal Society Open Science,5(7): 172143. Open Access DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Patrono, L. V., Samuni, L., Corman, V. M., Nourifar, L., Röthemeier, C., Wittig, R. M., Drosten, C., Calvignac-Spencer, S., & Leendertz, F. H. (2018). Human coronavirus OC43 outbreak in wild chimpanzees, Côte d´Ivoire, 2016. Emerging Microbes & Infections,7(1): 118. Open Access DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Preis, A., Samuni, L., Mielke, A., Deschner, T., Crockford, C. ǂ., & Wittig, R. M. (2018). Urinary oxytocin levels in relation to post-conflict affiliations in wild male chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus). Hormones and Behavior,105, 28-40. DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Samuni, L. (2018). Underlying mechanisms of cooperation in wild chimpanzees. PhD Thesis, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig. BibTeX Endnote | |
| Samuni, L., Preis, A., Deschner, T., Crockford, C. ǂ., & Wittig, R. (2018). Reward of labor coordination and hunting success in wild chimpanzees. Communications Biology,1: 138. Open Access DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Samuni, L., Preis, A., Mielke, A., Deschner, T., Wittig, R. M., & Crockford, C. (2018). Social bonds facilitate cooperative resource sharing in wild chimpanzees. Proceedings of the Royal Society London B,285(1888): 20181643. DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Sonnweber, R., Araya-Ajoy, Y. G., Behringer, V., Deschner, T., Tkaczynski, P. J., Fedurek, P., Preis, A., Samuni, L., Zommers, Z., Gomes, C., Zuberbühler, K., Wittig, R. M., & Crockford, C. (2018). Circadian rhythms of urinary cortisol levels vary between individuals in wild male chimpanzees: A reaction norm approach. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution,6: 85. Open Access DOI BibTeX Endnote |
| Hobaiter, C., Samuni, L., Mullins, C., Akankwasa, W. J., & Zuberbühler, K. (2017). Variation in hunting behaviour in neighbouring chimpanzee communities in the Budongo forest, Uganda. PLoS One,12(6): e0178065. Open Access DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Holden, E., Brand, C., Grund, C., Samuni, L., Zuberbuhler, K., & Hobaiter, C. (2017). The structure and function of female chimpanzee pant-hoots. Folia primatologica,88(2), 120-121. DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Mielke, A., Samuni, L., Preis, A., Gogarten, J. F., Crockford, C. ǂ., & Wittig, R. M. (2017). Bystanders intervene to impede grooming in Western chimpanzees and sooty mangabeys. Royal Society Open Science,4: 171296. Open Access DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Samuni, L., Preis, A., Deschner, T., Crockford, C. ǂ., & Wittig, R. M. (2017). Neuroendocrine mechanisms of hunting and food sharing in wild chimpanzees. Folia primatologica,88(2), 103-104. DOI BibTeX Endnote | |
| Samuni, L., Preis, A., Mundry, R., Deschner, T., Crockford, C. ǂ., & Wittig, R. M. (2017). Oxytocin reactivity during intergroup conflict in wild chimpanzees. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America,114(2), 268-273. DOI BibTeX Endnote |
| Samuni, L., Mundry, R., Terkel, J., Zuberbühler, K., & Hobaiter, H. (2014). Socially learned habituation to human observers in wild chimpanzees. Animal Cognition,17(4), 997-1005. DOI BibTeX Endnote |
Links
Wild chimpanzee foundation
www.wildchimps.org
Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
www.eva.mpg.de/primat/index.html
Budongo conservation field station
www.budongo.org
© C. Hobaiter, L. Samuni
