Bonobo: An Ape for the Nineties

Bonobo: An Ape for the Nineties
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“Pygmy Chimp”
‹ Pan paniscus
‹ “Common” chimp =
Pan troglodytes
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As close to us as
chimps
Bonobos are the least-studied ape
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Field studies still rare
Inaccessable range in
Congo forests
Dr. Kano
African Apes
Pan paniscus
Frans de Waal & Frans Lanting:
Bonobo: The Forgotten Ape
De Waal studies zoo
colonies (author of
Chimpanzee Politics)
Bonobos’ humanlike physical traits :
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Proportions
Uprightness
Teeth
Breasts
Bonobo Family
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Long childhood (typical ape)
‹ No food sharing
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Females independent
‹ Migrate at maturity
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Mother-son bond is stable
Bonobo Sexuality
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Not restricted to estrus
All Combinations of
partners
Variety of positions
‹ Often front to front
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Eases social tension
More Sex . . .
Largest ape
penis
Males rub
rumps to ease
tension
Female G-G rubbing
Masturbation
Social Structure
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Peaceful
Cooperative
Females usually dominant
Ape Behavior: A Summary
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Certain human traits absent
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No one social model
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Long-term sexual bonds
Fatherhood
Provisioning
Language
Gorilla harems
Chimp male dominance
Bonobo peaceful matriarchy
Gibbon monogamy
Orang polygamy
Linked to ecology
Aptitude for learning
complex social behavior
Next...
The Australopithecines