In the world of great apes, where competition for food can erupt at any moment, a simple touch sometimes proves more powerful than words. A new study has revealed that gestures such as embraces or light touches help bonobos and chimpanzees alleviate tension before co-feeding and maintain peace within their groups.
New study suggests ancient origins of reassuring social touch among apes science.org/content/articl…
Researchers from Durham University analyzed the behavior of five semi-wild groups of bonobos and chimpanzees in African sanctuaries. Before releasing food into a confined area, simulating natural competition around fruit trees, the researchers documented all instances of appeasing contact. They then monitored how long individuals spent co-feeding and the frequency of conflicts that arose.
The results were compelling: individuals who engaged in more frequent tactile exchanges before feeding subsequently spent longer periods eating alongside others. Among bonobos, this effect was particularly pronounced in females, while in chimpanzees, it was more evident in males, reflecting the distinct characteristics of their social structures. Significantly, the most robust findings emerged in more tolerant groups that had already established strong alliances.
Particularly intriguing were the 'risky' forms of contact observed in chimpanzees—for instance, one male placing his fingers into another's mouth. Such gestures were more prevalent in calm groups and seemingly function as a signal of trust, conveying, 'I am vulnerable, but I trust you not to harm me.'
Similar behaviors are observed in both species, suggesting common evolutionary roots stretching back at least six million years to a shared ancestor with humans.
This discovery sheds light on how mechanisms for maintaining social bonds have evolved in nature. Where aggression might tear a group apart, touch acts as a flexible tool, reducing stress and strengthening alliances. Parallels with human behavior are striking: we still embrace in moments of tension, and perhaps this is not merely a cultural habit but an ancient legacy.
The study was conducted at the Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chimfunshi in Zambia, involving an international team of scientists. The authors intend to continue their research, investigating precisely how touches influence stress hormone levels and whether they help prevent conflicts in other scenarios.
Understanding these ancient mechanisms enhances our appreciation for the complexity of social connections in nature and serves as a reminder that conserving great ape habitats also means preserving living examples of how evolution taught us to coexist.
