The most peaceful monkeys are actually prone to aggression – study

Because of their similarity to chimpanzees, bonobos were not considered a separate species until 1933.

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The peaceful reputation of bonobos (pygmy chimpanzees) may not be true. Scientists believe that aggressive behavior is more typical for them than for chimpanzees.

This is stated in the results of the study, published in the journal Cell, writes The New York Times.

bonobo – monkey, which until 1933 was considered a subspecies of chimpanzee due to similarities in appearance and lifestyle. However, bonobos are usually few smallermore slender and darker than their closest relatives.

Pygmy chimpanzees can be found in the lowland rainforests along the Congo River in Africa. The size of the population remains almost unknown.

Bonobo communities were previously thought to differ significantly from chimpanzee groups in their peace-loving nature and the fact that they are usually led by females. It was widely believed that pygmy chimpanzees mainly resolve conflicts not by violence, but by sex.

Animals became famous due to the fact that they received the title of a living example of the fact that in nature it is not necessary to have sharp teeth and claws. Conservationist Sally Cox even called them “a symbol of peace and love for the world” in 2006.

However, these reports were not based on sufficient data on bonobos. Recent studies have shown that pygmy chimpanzees’ reputation does not match their usual behavior.

In order to analyze the behavior of bonobos, Maud Mougineau, a biological anthropologist from Boston University (USA), went to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he observed the monkeys through binoculars.

Muzhino was confused by the aggressiveness of the animals. Unlike male chimpanzees, who woke up in a pleasant mood, male bonobos seemed to be ready for battle immediately after waking up.

“There is no such thing as a hippie monkey”, – said Maude Mougineau, who led the study.

Scientists observed 12 representatives of bonobos and 14 chimpanzees for 9,300 hours and concluded that the former commit acts of violence almost three times more often.

The authors of the study reported that the aggression of bonobo monkeys, as a rule, was aimed at members of their own groups, while chimpanzees tended to unite in groups against the enemy.

Maud Mougineau believes that it is easier for male bonobos to avoid aggression in response to an attack because in female-led communities they do not face the risks of male ape unions.

Scientists say that the difference between bonobos and chimpanzees is striking.

“Chimpanzees are killed, but bonobos – No”, – says Muzhino.

Earlier we talked about how Cambodia is investigating the abuse of monkeys by content makers.