All articles tagged with #apes
A study analyzing tickled human children and juvenile great apes (orangutans, gorillas, bonobos, chimpanzees) found they produce similar, evenly spaced laughter rhythms, suggesting conserved primate vocal control dating back about 15 million years; laughter becomes more variable during social play due to movement.
A 17–18 million-year-old ape jaw from Sinai’s Wadi Maghara is named Masripithecus moghraensis and suggests apes may have originated in North Africa rather than East Africa; the incomplete fossil sits before the great-ape/lesser-ape split, potentially reshaping origin stories, but more complete fossils are needed to confirm.
In a Science-published study, Kanzi the bonobo was tested with an imaginary juice party and other pretend tasks to see if apes can imagine nonreal events. He chose the pretend-juice cup 68% of the time and real juice about 80% of the time, with a similar pattern for fake grapes, suggesting a basic capacity for imagined scenarios that may extend beyond humans but not necessarily equate to human-style pretence; some researchers urge caution and call for more evidence. Kanzi died last year at 44.
Former President Donald Trump shared a racist meme depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes in a jungle to promote false 2020 election-fraud claims, prompting swift backlash from both parties; allies defended the meme as meme culture, while the White House and GOP figures faced calls to denounce the post.
Researchers from the Ape Initiative are exploring whether apes can imagine and engage in pretend play by staging an imaginary tea party, using bonobos like Kanzi to probe human-like cognitive traits in our closest relatives.
Researchers in Kenya reassembled the most complete Homo habilis skeleton yet, uncovering a mix of human-like head and upright posture with ape-like long forearms, suggesting arboreal traits persisted in early Homo and supporting a gradual transition rather than a rapid ape-to-human leap.
A study comparing communication between human children and apes suggests that the unique and frequent infant-directed speech in humans may have played a crucial role in the evolution of language, with humans engaging in much more frequent and elaborate communication with their young than apes do.
Recent research suggests that chimpanzees may exhibit humanlike cultural behaviors, indicating that these apes have complex social structures and traditions similar to humans.
Researchers have identified a genetic mutation that led to the loss of tails in apes, including humans, around 20-25 million years ago. Using CRISPR, they replicated the mutation in mice, resulting in tailless offspring. The reason for this evolutionary change remains a mystery, with theories suggesting it may have provided an advantage for survival or facilitated the transition to upright walking.
After 2.5 years, researchers have identified a genetic change shared by humans and other apes that might have contributed to their ancestors’ tail loss some 25 million years ago. The study involved developing several strains of gene-edited mice to demonstrate the genetic changes' effects, leading to the publication delay. The findings suggest that a DNA insertion in the TBXT gene can lead to shortened or absent tails in mice, shedding light on the genetic mechanisms behind tail loss and length reduction in apes, although it's not the only factor involved. This research provides insight into the evolution of tail loss and its potential impact on apes' ability to walk upright.
A recent study published in Nature suggests that the insertion of a mobile genetic sequence, known as a transposable element, could be linked to the loss of tails in the common ancestor of apes, including humans. This genetic event may have influenced the distinctive characteristic of tail loss in apes and could have played a role in the evolution of upright walking.
Researchers have detailed how great apes playfully tease, suggesting the human cognitive tools that help us learn humor may date back at least 13 million years. The study observed 18 different types of good-natured teasing behaviors across four species of great apes, such as poking, hitting, hindering movement, body slamming, and pulling on another's body part. Playful teasing is distinct from other play behavior and is usually one-sided, with the teaser initiating an action toward a target. This behavior is seen as entertainment and also helps juveniles better understand their social partners, providing vital information about growing up within a social group and establishing hierarchies.
A study has found that great apes, including chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans, engage in playful teasing behavior similar to humans, with the intention of provoking a response or attracting attention. The research suggests that this behavior may have evolved in human ancestors around 13 million years ago. By analyzing videos of juvenile apes engaging in teasing behaviors, the study provides insights into the evolutionary origins of playful teasing and its cognitive prerequisites.
"Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes," the latest installment in the franchise, is set 300 years after the last film, with apes as the dominant species and humans living in fear. The movie follows a young chimpanzee questioning the morality of hunting humans, a bonobo ruler seeking ancient human technologies, and a human with higher intelligence. Directed by Wes Ball, the film is set to release in theaters on May 10.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that bonobos and chimpanzees have the ability to remember old friends, family members, and groupmates even after decades of separation. The research suggests that long-term memory is a trait shared by humans, chimps, and bonobos, indicating deep evolutionary roots in complex social networks. Using eye-tracking technology, the study found that the apes showed a greater interest in images of familiar individuals compared to strangers. The results provide insight into the cognitive abilities and social relationships of our closest living relatives.