A fascinating breakthrough in animal psychology has revealed that young chimpanzees combine various gestures, vocalizations and facial expressions in a way that resembles the development of communication seen in human infants.
During the research, the research team found that young chimpanzees have a unique ability to combine different communication signals, an evolutionary trick that possibly enhances their ability to convey messages in different situations, such as play and conflict. Interestingly, they observed that this talent matures as chimpanzees transition from childhood to adolescence.
Why is this study important?
The combined signals used by these young primates include a multitude of expressions and behaviors. For example, they have been seen to combine playful open-mouth faces with laughter, or to physically touch another chimpanzee while whimpering, and even baring their teeth along with grinding.
The study, which was a collaboration between Durham University and the University of Portsmouth, received recognition for its publication in the journal Animal Behaviour. The research was conducted at the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust in northern Zambia, home to 28 semi-wild chimpanzees aged one year. up to 11 years, were observed.
What the research team learned
Unlike previous studies that focused on isolated forms of communication signals, this research was unique because it examined how chimpanzees combined these signals as they matured and in different contexts. The team found that chimpanzees of all ages consistently used separate communication signals such as grunts, arm movements or facial expressions in different situations.
However, it was interesting to note that as chimpanzees age, they are more likely to combine different communication signals. This practice was particularly evident in encounters with aggression or play, two scenarios where clear communication is paramount to avoid unintended consequences.
Insights into human evolution
The research team suggests that the development of this multi-layered way of communicating between young chimpanzees could offer valuable insights into our own evolution. However, they added that more studies are needed to observe multimodal signals in wild primates to better understand how different environments influence the development of communication.
Learn more about yourself by observing chimpanzees
As we move forward, further investigation of multimodal communication in primates could offer definitive answers and add exciting chapters to our understanding of the story of human evolution.
This remarkable research was made possible by funding from a variety of entities, including a Durham University PhD Fellowship, the British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology and the Lucie Burgers Foundation for Comparative Behavioral Research.
More on the similarities between humans and chimpanzees
Chimpanzees are our closest living relatives in the animal kingdom, and due to our common ancestry, we share many biological and behavioral similarities with them.
Genetic similarity
Chimpanzees and humans share almost 99% of their DNA. This genetic similarity is one of the main reasons scientists study chimpanzees to better understand human biology and evolution.
Social behavior
Like humans, chimpanzees are highly social animals. They live in large communities and display complex social behaviors such as cooperation, competition, alliance formation and even aggression. They also demonstrate empathy and altruism, engaging in behaviors such as caring for each other and sharing food.
Communication
As pointed out in the previous article, chimpanzees use a wide range of gestures, facial expressions and vocalizations to communicate, similar to humans. They use these signals in combination, indicating that they have multimodal communication capabilities that could be the precursors to human language.
Using tools and solving problems
Chimpanzees are among the few animal species known to use tools. They have been observed using sticks to hunt termites, stones to crack nuts, and leaves as sponges to absorb drinking water. This tool shows their problem solving skills and cognitive sophistication.
Emotions and intelligence
Chimpanzees display a wide range of emotions, including joy, sadness, fear, and anger, similar to human emotions. They are also very intelligent, able to learn sign language, play computer games and even recognize themselves in mirrors, which is a sign of self-awareness.
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