Cultural primatology comes of age
Article Abstract:
Research into cultural variants among wild chimpanzees at seven well-established field sites in Africa revives questions about whether animal groups actually have a culture. The chimpanzees' genes clearly determine general abilities, but it is difficult to argue that genes make the chimpanzees aware of exactly how to behave at their particular site. There was no evidence that habits vary more between the three existing subspecies of chimpanzees than within them. This indicates that genetics cannot be responsible for the variability in behaviour seen between population groups.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
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Visual kin recognition in chimpanzees
Article Abstract:
There is evidence for a mechanism of kin recognition in primates that does not depend on previous experience with the individuals concerned. Research in this area established that chimpanzees are able to match the faces of mothers and sons, but not mothers and daughters. It appears that chimpanzees see similarities in the faces of related but unfamiliar individuals, providing proof of visual kin recognition at an exclusively phenotypic level. It is possible that facial similarities related to sons, or males in general, are more clear to chimpanzees.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
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Payment for labour in monkeys
Article Abstract:
Brown capuchin monkeys are more willing to share rewards gained by a joint effort than rewards obtained individually. The monkeys cooperate even if it is clear that only one of them, and which one, will be rewarded.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2000
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