Strong international media coverage of the study involving IPHES-CERCA published in Scientific Reports

The recent study on the behaviour of Gibraltar macaques, involving IPHES-CERCA affiliated researcher Federica Landi, has received significant international media attention. Major global outlets have reported on the findings, including BBC World and The Guardian, along with numerous digital and specialised publications.

The study, led by Sylvain Lemoine and published in Scientific Reports, shows that Barbary macaques in Gibraltar (Macaca sylvanus) ingest soil (a behaviour known as geophagy) in response to the effects of a diet based on processed foods provided by tourists. This strategy may function as a natural mechanism to mitigate digestive disturbances associated with diets rich in sugars, fats and dairy products.

This widespread media coverage helps to reinforce the international visibility of IPHES-CERCA as a leading research centre in the study of human evolution.