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Differences in play can illuminate differences in affiliation: A comparative study on chimpanzees and gorillas
Giada Cordoni1, Ivan Norscia1,2, Maria Bobbio1
1Museo di Storia Naturale, Università di Pisa, Calci (Pisa), Italy.
Plos One
|March 8, 2018
Summary
Adult gorillas engage in less frequent and more aggressive play than chimpanzees, suggesting differences in social dynamics influence play behavior in great apes. This comparative study highlights key distinctions in primate play patterns.
Area of Science:
- Primate Ethology
- Comparative Psychology
- Behavioral Ecology
Background:
- Social play is crucial for reinforcing social bonds in primates.
- Great apes exhibit variations in social structure and affiliation, potentially influencing play dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare play behavior frequency and dynamics between lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).
- To test if differences in play reflect variations in social affiliation and agonistic support between these species.
Main Methods:
- Video-recorded and analyzed play behavior in matched groups of gorillas and chimpanzees at ZooParc de Beauval.
- Applied identical observational and analytical methods to both species for direct comparison.
Main Results:
- Adult play was less frequent in gorillas than chimpanzees.
- Polyadic play (more than two individuals) was less common in gorillas.
- Gorilla play sessions were less unbalanced but escalated to aggression more frequently than in chimpanzees.
- Play asymmetry increased with player number in gorillas, limiting polyadic interactions.
Conclusions:
- Play behavior differences between gorillas and chimpanzees may be linked to their distinct social systems.
- Further research on great ape social play is needed to confirm the role of affiliative relationships in observed play dynamics.
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