Skip to main content.

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Science Now posts a short article on chimps and bonobos.
Chimpanzees and bonobos are our closest primate relatives, but the two apes have very different personalities. While primatologists have often noted nasty, competitive behavior among power-hungry chimps, bonobos have a reputation as free-loving peaceniks. Now, a behavioral study that directly compares the two apes suggests that the bonobos' more cordial nature enables them to cooperate more successfully than chimps in some situations.
On a number of tests bonobos show greater inclination to cooperate and share than chimps. (Humans look to see who's watching.)

Score One for the Sociable Ape -- Miller 2007 (308): 2 -- ScienceNOW

Comments

No comments yet

Add Comment

This item is closed, it's not possible to add new comments to it or to vote on it

TrackBack