Tag Archives: Primate

Exploring the Evolutionary Origins of Same-Sex Sexual Behavior in Primate Species

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Same-sex sexual activity isn’t exclusive to humans; various primates engage in it too.

A recent study identified 59 non-human primate species, including bonobos, chimpanzees, and macaques, that exhibit same-sex behavior.

This extensive research, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, is the most thorough review to date of same-sex behavior among primates (excluding humans). The findings challenge existing assumptions about the purpose of sexual activities within the animal kingdom and indicate that sex may serve a more complex social function.

The authors propose that same-sex behavior has evolved to assist primates in navigating complex social structures, reducing conflict, and strengthening bonds. They suggest that both genetic factors and external environmental stresses influence this behavior.

Vincent Savolainen, director of the Georgina Mace Center for the Living Planet at Imperial College London and lead author of the study, stated: “Our findings illustrate that homosexuality is not an anomaly; it’s widespread, beneficial, and essential.”

In their study, Savolainen and colleagues evaluated existing data from 491 primate species, focusing on documented instances of same-sex sexual activities.

“The behaviors observed included mounting, ventral-to-ventral, or ventral-to-dorsal contact, genital touching, and fellatio, encompassing both male-to-male and female-to-female interactions,” the study highlighted. Non-sexual same-sex interactions were excluded to maintain clarity.

Findings suggest that same-sex behavior is more prevalent among animals needing social cohesion to endure harsh environmental conditions, facing predation risks, or competing for resources. It is particularly common in social structures with rigid hierarchies, where sexual behaviors help individuals manage competition and foster alliances to reduce intergroup aggression.

“People often underestimate the significance of same-sex behavior in societal dynamics; it is as crucial as eating, fighting, parenting, and nurturing,” Savolainen remarked.

He likened same-sex sexual interactions to a form of “currency” that may enhance social standing, create opportunities, and facilitate resource sharing.

“In times of social strife, utilizing same-sex behavior can be advantageous,” Savolainen explained.

He noted that while this behavior is likely to be present in more than 23 primate species, limited data in the field and a lack of focused studies hinder comprehensive understanding.

Observing and interpreting same-sex sexual behavior can be challenging for scientists. Historically, many researchers viewed these behaviors as unusual and neglected documentation. Additionally, securing funding for studies on same-sex behavior in animals has been difficult, particularly from government sources.

“We have a plethora of species about which we lack knowledge. This knowledge gap is significant,” Savolainen warned. “Unless we incorporate same-sex behavior into our understanding of social dynamics, we can’t fully grasp how societies operate. We aim to gather more data in forthcoming studies.”

While the new research doesn’t directly relate its findings to contemporary human sexual behavior, it suggests that our ancestors experienced social and environmental pressures similar to those driving same-sex behavior in other primates.

Prior studies have indicated that widespread same-sex behavior exists in macaques and that certain traits are genetically inherited. Some behaviors can be linked to specific genetic lineages. Female bonobos often engage in genital rubbing during stressful situations, and same-sex behavior has also been documented in chimpanzees.

Marlene Zook, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Minnesota who studies same-sex behavior in animals, commented on the interesting breadth of the analysis.

“The extensive range of data collected in this study is particularly impressive,” she noted.

Zook expressed no surprise at the conclusion emphasizing the influence of environmental and social factors on same-sex behavior. The study prompts a reconsideration of widespread misconceptions regarding animal sexual conduct, emphasizing its complexity beyond mere reproduction.

“Sexual behavior often transcends reproduction, a fact evident in our species. However, many tend to overlook this reality in animals,” Zook observed. “People seem to assume that animals, unlike humans, conduct sexual activities purely for procreation purposes, which is quite inaccurate.”

Zook added that the scientific community has traditionally dismissed the concept of a “gay gene” that directly influences homosexual behavior.

“No single gene dictates homosexual behavior in humans or other animals. Instead, a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors shape nearly all behaviors and traits, whether they be physical or psychological,” she concluded.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Scientists release updated primate evolutionary lineage

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Primates, consisting of apes, monkeys, tarsiers, and lemurs, are among the most charismatic and well-studied animals on Earth.

Phylogeny of 455 primates synthesized using Chrono-STA. The roots of the phylogeny were discovered 71.3 million years ago. The crown of Strepsirrhini is 57 million years old, and the crown of Haplorrhini is 68.5 million years old. The crown of the eyelid is 42.2 million years old. Image credit: Craig others., doi: 10.3389/fbinf.2024.1495417.

Primate mammals consist of 172 species of Old World apes and monkeys (Cataluni), 146 species of New World monkeys (Platyria), and 144 species of lemurs, lorises, and galagos (Strepsilini).

Primates exhibit some of the most remarkable behaviors observed in nature. Chimpanzees use specially chosen sticks to “fish” for termites inside hollow logs, while orangutans use leaves as gloves to handle the prickly durian fruit.

Although they are some of the most intensely studied species on Earth, there is no comprehensive molecular phylogenetic hypothesis about the evolutionary history of primates that summarizes the patterns and timing of relationships among all primates. plug.

Such phylogenetic trees use molecular sequence data to tell us both when each species or group of species first appeared and which other groups on the tree are their closest relatives. Masu.

The largest timed molecular phylogenetic tree, called the “Time Tree,” includes just over 200 primate species to date, but the largest synthetic time tree, based on more than 4,000 published studies, , containing only twice that number, and about one-fifth of the primates remaining. The tree of life is unresolved.

“The value of a timed evolutionary tree that includes all species of a particular lineage cannot be underestimated,” said lead author Dr. Jack Craig and colleagues at Temple University.

“These trees are inherently fascinating because they capture the evolutionary history that has given us our current biodiversity, but they also form an essential foundation for many types of future research. I will.”

“For example, taxonomic and systematic efforts to catalog species rely on them to identify new lineages.”

“The study of the rate of evolution and its possible correlations, such as climate and geological changes, is fundamentally tied to its underlying phylogeny.”

“Disciplines such as biogeography, phylogeography, and historical ecology, which use time trees to investigate spatial and ecological patterns, would not be possible without phylogeny.”

“And as we watch global biodiversity being lost in ongoing extinction events, phylogenetics can help identify conservation priorities and help save species. It is an essential tool in assessing the impact of our efforts.”

In the new study, the authors were able to construct a time tree of 455 primates, incorporating all species for which molecular data are available.
This phylogenetic tree is the most complete description of the evolutionary relationships among primates to date.

“This effort proves that while the evolutionary history of even some of the most charismatic species on Earth is incompletely understood, we have the tools to fill many of the knowledge gaps. “We did so,” the researchers said.

“We believe our research protocol will be an accessible and ultimately extremely valuable tool in the effort to understand evolution.”

“We have found that complete time trees are a fundamental resource in many fields and can often be constructed from existing data.”

“Furthermore, such a complete time tree allows us to test hypotheses that would otherwise not be possible.”

“For example, our study shows that the number of species in different primate clades is better explained by unique rates of speciation, with some primate lineages generating new species much faster than others. Or whether the best explanation is simply time: all lineages produce new species at about the same rate, and older lineages produce more species over time.''

“What we discovered is that the major groups of primates actually all share relatively similar speciation rates, and therefore their age is a better predictor of species richness. That's what it means.

“This analysis becomes very problematic when a time tree is missing many species or dates, so it serves as a perfect example of the usefulness of large, complete time trees.”

of the team result appear in the diary Frontiers of bioinformatics.

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Jack M. Craig others. 2024. Completed primate molecular time tree. Frontiers of bioinformatics 4;doi: 10.3389/fbinf.2024.1495417

Source: www.sci.news

The Mysteries of Gorilla Gas: What Secret Footage from the Jungle Revealed about Primate Flatulence

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Hamsters, horses, and humans all do it, so it’s no surprise that gorillas, one of our closest living relatives, also fart a lot.

Farting is the body’s natural way of expelling unwanted gases produced by intestinal bacteria. These gases include odorless ones like carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane, as well as smelly sulfur compounds that can sometimes create a noxious odor.

There are two types of gorillas, the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla, both found in the forests of equatorial Africa. These large primates, weighing up to 190 kg (420 lb), primarily eat fiber-rich plants. They typically consume around 20 kg (44 lb) of nettles, wild celery, and other plants daily through foraging.

When gorillas are not eating, they are usually resting, allowing their bodies to digest. Gorillas in the wild are known to have a lot of flatulence, especially during certain times of the year.

A recent BBC series titled spy in the wild revealed how much gas gorillas produce. Using a remote-controlled camera, researchers captured footage of mountain gorillas in Uganda. They observed that gorillas tend to vocalize while eating, and there is a constant tramping sound between meals.

Researcher Jordi Galvani Casals, who studies mountain gorillas, stated that gorillas always have a significant amount of flatulence.

This article was written in response to the question asked by Alan Rose via email: “Are gorillas permanently bloated?”

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com