ECOLOGY, DEMOGRAPHY, AND POPULATION-GENETICS OF BARBARY MACAQUES IN ALGERIA

Over a 9-year period from 1982 to 1990 ecological and demographic data were collected on two genetic isolates of Barbary macaques (Macaca sy lvanus) in Algeria, from the deciduous oak-forest of Akfadou and from the evergreen cedar-oak forest of the National Park Djurdjura. Macaque s at Djurdjura profit from more suitable ecological conditions and hav e a higher rate of population increase as well as a higher male migrat ion rate than those at Akfadou. Genetic data, gained from 23 genetic m arkers (blood proteins), proved to be highly influenced by the demogra phic structure of the groups. The macaque populations of Akfadou and D jurdjura have become genetically differentiated. Group fission, couple d with founder effect (genetic drift) and kin-structured (matrilineal) separation, resulted in a priori genetic diversity between one newly- established group and its parent group.