A collective of international scientists has discovered that chimpanzees and bonobos form social bonds that bear a resemblance to human friendships. Much like people, these great apes tend to communicate primarily with a limited number of close associates. The findings of this research have been published in the journal iScience.
The study involved an examination of social behavior within 24 distinct groups of chimpanzees and bonobos. Grooming, which involves mutual hair care and plays a crucial role in reinforcing social ties among primates, was employed as an indicator of relationship closeness.
A mathematical model was utilized by the researchers to gauge how these primates allocate their time among different members of their group. The analysis revealed that the majority of individuals dedicate a significant portion of their time to a small number of their closest partners, interacting far less frequently with others. This intricate structure mirrors the organization of social networks observed in humans.
The research also indicated that within larger communities, apes exhibit more selectivity in choosing their interaction partners. This behavior is also strikingly similar to how humans interact.
Interestingly, notable distinctions were also identified between the two great ape species in this regard. Bonobos tended to distribute their attention more evenly among the members of their community. Chimpanzees, in contrast, concentrated their efforts on a small number of their most intimate partners.
Furthermore, age-related shifts in social connections were documented. As chimpanzees age, they focus their attention on an ever-diminishing number of individuals. This narrowing of their social circle was not observed in bonobos.
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