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Sex differences in bonobo (Pan paniscus) terrestriality: implications for human evolution.
Frances J White1, Colin M Brand2, Alexana J Hickmott2
1University of Oregon, Department of Anthropology, 1218 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, fwhite@uoregon.edu.
Journal of Anthropological Sciences = Rivista Di Antropologia : JASS
|December 20, 2020
Summary
Male bonobos use terrestrial locomotion to access food patches, increasing mating opportunities. This terrestrial travel strategy may shed light on the evolution of human locomotion in forested environments.
Area of Science:
- Primate Behavior
- Evolutionary Biology
- Paleoanthropology
Background:
- The transition to terrestrial locomotion in hominins occurred in wooded habitats.
- Forest-dwelling apes offer insights into this evolutionary shift.
- Sex differences in ape locomotion are often linked to sexual dimorphism or ecological niches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if male bonobos exhibit increased terrestrial locomotion due to mating advantages.
- To test the hypothesis that males are more terrestrial when fast travel offers mating benefits.
Main Methods:
- Behavioral data from wild bonobos in Lomako Forest, DRC, over ten months.
- Analysis of time spent at different heights (arboreal vs. terrestrial) relative to feeding contexts.
- Correlation of locomotion patterns with mating frequencies in specific food patch contexts.
Main Results:
- A significant interaction between sex and height class was observed away from food patches, with females being primarily arboreal.
- Near food patches, males showed a significant tendency towards terrestrial arrival, while females remained largely arboreal.
- Mating predominantly occurred near or within food patches, supporting the hypothesis of mating-driven terrestrial travel.
Conclusions:
- Male bonobos may utilize terrestrial travel to reach food patches before females, enhancing their competitive edge for mating access.
- Intrasexual selection on locomotion strategies could be a significant factor in the evolution of hominin terrestrial movement in forested settings.
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