Bonobo

A Bonobo is a great ape with a Bonobo genome (with 48 chromosomes => 24 pairs).

• Context:
  • It can (typically) be a member of a Bonobo Species (unless they are an engineered organism).
  • It can (typically) be closely related to Chimpanzees (shares approximately 99.6% of its DNA, diverged ~1.5 to ~2 million years ago.).
  • It can (typically) be a member of the Pan genus, scientifically classified as Pan paniscus.
  • It can (typically) be native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with populations limited to the Congo Basin forests.
  • It can (often) exhibit a matriarchal social structure, with females playing a central role in group cohesion.
  • It can (often) have a lighter face coloration and distinctive physical traits compared to chimpanzees.
  • It can (often) be known for peaceful conflict resolution and high levels of social bonding behaviors.
  • ...
  • It can engage in more frequent upright walking compared to other great apes, aside from humans.
  • It can have an average lifespan of 40-50 years in the wild, extending up to 50-60 years in captivity.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Kanzi - a famous bonobo known for his ability to communicate using lexigrams and understanding spoken English commands, extensively studied by Sue Savage-Rumbaugh.
  • Panbanisha - another bonobo studied alongside Kanzi, noted for her linguistic comprehension and symbolic communication abilities.
  • Kikongo - a bonobo observed in the Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary, exemplifying typical bonobo social behaviors in a semi-wild environment.
  • Lolita - a bonobo studied for her social bonding behaviors and cooperative interactions, observed in the Great Ape Trust.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) - a closely related species but with distinct social and behavioral characteristics.
  • Other Great Ape species:
    • Human (Homo sapiens), known for distinct evolutionary traits and abilities.
    • Gorilla (Gorilla genus), with differing social structure and habitat needs.
    • Orangutan (Pongo genus), largely solitary with unique behavioral traits in Southeast Asian rainforests.
  • ...
• See: Primate, Great Ape, Pan Genus, Hominidae, Primate Intelligence, Animal Cognition, Non-Conscious Agent.

---

---

References

2020

• (Hare & Woods, 2020) ⇒ Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods. (2020). "Survival of the Friendliest: Understanding Our Origins and Evolution." This book discusses bonobos in the context of social intelligence and cooperation, drawing parallels to human social evolution.
  • NOTE: It illustrates how bonobos use cooperation and friendliness as survival strategies, contrasting with more competitive behaviors in other primates.

2012

• (Prüfer et al., 2012) ⇒ Kay Prüfer, et al.. (2012). "The Bonobo Genome Compared with the Chimpanzee and Human Genomes." The analysis contrasts bonobo, chimpanzee, and human genomes, underscoring genetic similarities and differences among the species.
  • NOTE: It offers insights into the evolutionary biology and genetics of bonobos, showing high genomic overlap with chimpanzees.

1997

• (de Waal, 1997) ⇒ Frans B. M. de Waal. (1997). "Bonobo: The Forgotten Ape." This book provides comprehensive insights into the social behaviors, cognitive abilities, and conservation needs of bonobos.
  • NOTE: It explores how bonobo societies differ from chimpanzee societies, highlighting the species’ peaceful social structure and intelligence.

---