US EditionGorilla study reveals complex pros and cons of friendship
- An international team studied 164 wild mountain gorillas over more than 20 years in Rwanda to see how social lives affected health.
- The study found social bonds carry benefits and costs that vary with group size, sex, and individual traits, complicating simple assumptions.
- For example, females with strong bonds in small groups got ill less often but had fewer offspring, while females in larger groups were sicker but had more births.
- Dr. Robin Morrison, the lead author, explained that while having many close social connections usually benefits individuals, there are occasions when it may have negative effects.
- The findings suggest sociality’s evolutionary benefits vary by context, offering insights into social trait diversity in gorillas and other animals including humans.
42 Articles
42 Articles
'Titus', a silver-backed mountain gorilla, had a difficult childhood. He lost his father and many other members of the group to poachers, and his mother died when he was only four years old. He became the dominant male of his group at the early age of 15. He possessed an unusual leadership style, being exceptionally kind and calm. That character made him very attractive to females and helped him dominate the group for 20 years until his death in…
Observations on gorillas show that social ties have both pros and cons. Which ones outweigh this depends, among other things, on gender.
Science Writing, 5 May (EFEverde).- The type of social life and friendships influence health, a premise that also applies to wild mountain gorillas, according to a new study with data of 164 copies for more than 20 years. The research, published by Plos and headed by the University of Zurich, deepens the benefits and costs of friendships, which could explain why some individuals are less sociable. Having many strong social relationships "is usua…
Long-term observations in the Ndoki forest resolve enduring questions about truffle foraging by western lowland gorillas
While there is growing recognition of the importance of traditional knowledge in science, these perspectives remain underrepresented in research publicatio
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