Cognitive Similarities Between Bonobos And Chimpanzees

Annotated Bibliography: Bonobos
Herrmann, E., Hare, B., Call, J., Tomasello, M. (August 27, 2010) Differences in the Cognitive
Skills of Bonobos and Chimpanzees. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0012438 While physiological similarities between bonobos and chimpanzees suggest cognitive similarities, it is found through behavioral differences that we see the two species differ cognitively. Conducted in 2010, this study examines both species and determines whether or not these cognitive differences support the role of ecological and socio-ecological pressures in the shaping of bonobos and chimpanzees cognitive skills. In order to test this idea, researches chose to put both species under a wide range of cognitive problems and

While chimpanzees frequently hunt in packs for other groups of monkey species, it is believed that bonobos tend to hunt individually and focus their efforts on more medium sized terrestrial prey. Based on these individual hunting patterns and smaller prey consumption, it can be inferred that there is a lack of male bonding and reduced levels of aggression, showing implications of behavior being driven mostly by reproductive advantages. Observing the hunting patterns of bonobos in the Salonga National Park, Surbeck and Fruth (2008) used methods such as direct observation, macroscopic inspection of faeces, prey, and modes of consumption to narrow down their research. They found that at Lui Kotale, Salonga National Park, both sexes were active in pursuing and hunting prey, confirming the active role of adult females in prey acquisition and meat sharing. They were also able to conclude that choice of prey is one major difference between bonobos and chimpanzees, and that bonobos tend to catch their prey by individual opportunity rather than by group

The purpose of this study is to allow researchers to examine the differences in tool use between species, and determine whether or not these differences support their hypothesis that various ecological and social factors are responsible for the emergence and maintenance of tool traditions. As their methods include location, terrain, fruit abundance, and tool use they are able to acquire accurate and reliable information that will help provide the researchers with the necessary data for the study. By studying bonobos and chimpanzees from two different locations, researchers were able to challenge their study with environmental factors such as climate, terrain, and food supply. As a result, their study revealed that the main difference between the two species exists in their use of tools for feeding, and that in chimpanzees tool use for feeding was frequent whereas in bonobos it was nearly