http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/apes/ Apes and chimps in the news. Read all the latest research about great apes, orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees. Photos too. en-us Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:05:01 EST Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/apes/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111130942.htm If humans are genetically related to chimps, why did our brains develop the innate ability for language and speech while theirs did not? Scientists suspect that part of the answer to the mystery lies in a gene called FOXP2. When mutated, FOXP2 can disrupt speech and language in humans. Now, a new study reveals major differences between how the human and chimp versions of FOXP2 work, perhaps explaining why language is unique to humans. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111130942.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110171748.htm Zoo Atlanta recently became the first zoological institution in the world to obtain voluntary blood pressure readings from a gorilla. This was made possible by the Gorilla Tough Cuff developed by Georgia Tech students. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110171748.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104101553.htm Research in the UK into the finger length of primate species has revealed that cooperative behavior is linked to exposure to hormone levels in the womb. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104101553.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022122321.htm A new study of chimpanzees living in the wild adds to evidence that our closest primate relatives have cultural differences, too. The study shows that neighboring chimpanzee populations in Uganda use different tools to solve a novel problem: extracting honey trapped within a fallen log. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022122321.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014102035.htm The evolution of altruism has long puzzled researchers and has mainly been explained previously from ultimate perspectives. However, a new study shows that chimpanzees altruistically help conspecifics, even in the absence of direct personal gain or immediate reciprocation, although the chimpanzees were much more likely to help each other upon request than voluntarily. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014102035.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090727191908.htm Scientists have found that orangutans move through the canopy of tropical forests in a completely different way to all other tree-dwelling primates. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090727191908.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001110548.htm For the first time, scientists have thoroughly described Ardipithecus ramidus, a hominid species that lived 4.4 million years ago in what is now Ethiopia. Several new studies offer the first comprehensive, peer-reviewed description of the Ardipithecus fossils, which include a partial skeleton of a female, nicknamed "Ardi." Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001110548.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928131032.htm Spotted hyenas may not be smarter than chimpanzees, but a new study shows that they outperform the primates on cooperative problem-solving tests. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928131032.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915101355.htm Well-preserved craniodental fossil remains from two primate species have been discovered during excavations at an Algerian site. They reveal that the small primate Algeripithecus, which is 50 million years old and until now was considered as the most ancient African anthropoid, in fact belonged to another group, that of the crown strepsirhines. Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915101355.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090907013814.htm As the 25th anniversary of the discovery of DNA fingerprinting approaches, geneticists interested in a particular type of DNA are receiving some help from an unusual band of assistants. Chimpanzees at Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire have been trained to enable keepers to take DNA samples with special cheek swabs. Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090907013814.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090902195249.htm Chimpanzees in the Congo have developed specialized "tool kits" to forage for army ants, providing some of the first recorded evidence of multiple tools. Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090902195249.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901172832.htm Humans and chimpanzees are genetically very similar, yet it is not difficult to identify the many ways in which we are clearly distinct from chimps. In a new study, scientists have made a crucial discovery of genes that have evolved in humans after branching off from other primates, opening new possibilities for understanding what makes us uniquely human. Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901172832.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090818182053.htm A new study has concluded that one key part of the immune system, the ability of vitamin D to regulate anti-bactericidal proteins, is so important that is has been conserved through almost 60 million years of evolution and is shared only by primates, including humans -- but no other known animal species. Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090818182053.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810162005.htm An analysis of wrist anatomy in humans, chimps, bonobos and gorillas indicates our own bipedalism probably did not evolve from a knuckle-walking ancestor. "Our data support the opposite notion, that features of the hand and wrist found in the human fossil record that have traditionally been treated as indicators of knuckle-walking behavior in general are in fact evidence of arboreality," researchers report. Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810162005.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806121754.htm In Aesop's fable, "the crow and the pitcher," a thirsty crow uses stones to raise the level of water in a pitcher to quench its thirst. A new study demonstrates that rooks, birds belonging to the corvid family, are able to solve complex problems using tools and can easily master the same technique demonstrated in Aesop's fable. Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806121754.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090807120942.htm Researchers believe conventional vaccine strategies should not be the only avenue explored in the development of an effective AIDS vaccine. Based on studying simian immunodeficiency viruses in African nonhuman primates, they propose an additional new approach to the AIDS vaccine research agenda. Unraveling how African nonhuman primates adapt to HIV-like viruses may lead to vaccine. Sun, 09 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090807120942.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803173252.htm Researchers have identified what they believe is the original source of malignant malaria: a parasite found in chimpanzees in equatorial Africa. The deadly parasite jumped to humans from chimpanzees, perhaps through one mosquito. Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803173252.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803114929.htm French researchers are reporting the existence of a new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) derived from gorillas in a patient from the African country of Cameroon. Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803114929.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090714124947.htm Biologists are offering a new theory for the long-standing mystery of why male lemurs are no larger than females. The theory posits that male lemurs guard their mates just like other primates. But whereas evolution favors larger males in gorillas and other species that guard females by fighting, lemurs have evolved to passively guard their mates. Sat, 01 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090714124947.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090722191208.htm A chimp's attention is captured by faces more effectively than by bananas. A series of experiments suggests that the apes are wired to respond to faces in a similar manner to humans. Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090722191208.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090722142828.htm Researchers have shown that African wild chimpanzees infected with simian immunodeficiency virus, an HIV-1-like virus, die prematurely and develop hallmarks of HIV-1 infection and AIDS. Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090722142828.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630202125.htm A new fossil primate from Myanmar (previously known as Burma) suggests that the common ancestor of humans, monkeys and apes evolved from primates in Asia, not Africa as many researchers believe. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630202125.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615171523.htm American researchers who have been studying the rare and threatened bonobo ape will lead monitoring efforts after a group of orphan bonobos are returned to the wild in the Congo for the first time this month. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615171523.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622171359.htm Researchers have developed the first detailed images of a primitive primate brain, unexpectedly revealing that cousins of our earliest ancestors relied on smell more than sight. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622171359.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610091222.htm Are the cognitively superior brains of humans, in part, responsible for our higher rates of cancer? A new study comparing the way programmed cell death, or apoptosis, works in humans and chimpanzees suggests there may be something to this puzzling observation. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610091222.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608095044.htm Scientists conducted a study to see if chimpanzees spontaneously bartered foods among each other, using tokens which represented those foods. While results indicated that the animals were cognitively able to understand trade, without enforcement from human experimenters, trade disappeared. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608095044.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618084304.htm New evidence underscores the theory of human origin that suggests humans most likely share a common ancestor with orangutans. The researchers reject as "problematic" the popular suggestion, based on DNA analysis, that humans are most closely related to chimpanzees, which they maintain is not supported by fossil evidence. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618084304.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090604181251.htm A new report provides compelling evidence that paying to conserve billions of tons of carbon stored in tropical forests could also protect orangutans, pygmy elephants, and other wildlife at risk of extinction. The study is one of the first to offer quantitative evidence linking the drive to reduce carbon emissions from forests with the push to preserve threatened mammal biodiversity. Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090604181251.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090604124013.htm Like human infants, young apes are known to hoot and holler when you tickle them. But is it fair to say that those playful calls are really laughter? The answer to that question is yes, according to new research. Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090604124013.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090602083729.htm Researchers have discovered a fossilized face with mandible from a previously unknown hominoid primate genus in Spain dating to the Middle Miocene era, roughly 12 million years ago. Nicknamed "Lluc," the male bears a strikingly "modern" facial appearance with a flat face, rather than a protruding one. The finding sheds important new light on the evolutionary development of hominids, including orangutans, chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas and humans. Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090602083729.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528120643.htm Mice carrying a "humanized version" of a gene believed to influence speech and language may not actually talk, but they nonetheless do have a lot to say about our evolutionary past, according to a new report. Sun, 31 May 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528120643.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528203735.htm Researchers based in Gabon and France report the discovery of a new malaria agent infecting chimpanzees in Central Africa. This new species, named Plasmodium gaboni, is a close relative of the most virulent human agent P. falciparum. Fri, 29 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528203735.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090527215547.htm A transgenic line of monkeys carrying a gene encoding green fluorescent protein fully integrated into their DNA has been created for the first time. The research, published in the journal Nature, marks the first such feat in non-human primates and paves the way for developing new models of human diseases. Thu, 28 May 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090527215547.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090513091515.htm Scientists have described a new species of red algae (Leptofauchea coralligena) in the western Mediterranean. This is the only species of the Leptofauchea genus currently known to be in the Mediterranean. Mon, 18 May 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090513091515.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090501091024.htm The ancestors of the simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) that jumped from chimpanzees and monkeys, and ignited the HIV/AIDS pandemic in humans, have been dated to just a few centuries ago. These ages are substantially younger than previous estimates. Wed, 06 May 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090501091024.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090422121858.htm Animals that seem identical may belong to completely different species. This is the conclusion of researchers in Sweden who have used DNA analyses to discover that one of our most common segmented worms is actually two types of worm. The result is one of many suggesting that the variety of species on Earth could be considerably larger than we thought. Fri, 24 Apr 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090422121858.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090330200829.htm An evolutionary biologist argues that humans may lack the strength of chimps because our nervous systems exert more control over our muscles. Our fine motor control prevents great feats of strength, but allows us to perform delicate and uniquely human tasks. Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090330200829.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090407223640.htm Wild female chimpanzees copulate more frequently with males who share meat with them over long periods of time, according to researchers in Germany. Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090407223640.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090326134018.htm A brain scan was performed on a gorilla at the Bronx Zoo. The on-site procedure—performed by dozens of wildlife veterinarians, zookeepers, and medical personnel from several institutions—was made possible by the Bobby Murcer Mobile MRI Unit, a 48-foot-long MRI facility on wheels that conducted a comprehensive neurological scan on the brain of Fubo, a 42-year-old western lowland gorilla. Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090326134018.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090324111818.htm Poachers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) threaten the existence of the largest remaining continuous population of chimpanzees in the world. This conclusion is based on observations made during a 2007-2008 survey of towns, villages and forests in the Buta-Aketi region of the country. Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090324111818.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090312215211.htm Researchers have, for the first time, compared the proteomes of two different multi cellular organisms. They found surprising correlations between two animals that, at first sight, couldn't be more different. Sat, 21 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090312215211.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090305204321.htm Researchers have discovered that a long-defunct gene was resurrected during the course of human evolution. This is believed to be the first evidence of a doomed gene -- infection-fighting human IRGM -- making a comeback in the human/great ape lineage. Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090305204321.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090309121931.htm Researchers have found what they say is some of the first unambiguous evidence that an animal other than humans can make spontaneous plans for future events. The report highlights a decade of observations in a zoo of a male chimpanzee calmly collecting stones and fashioning concrete discs that he would later use to hurl at zoo visitors. Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090309121931.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090213114325.htm There may be greater genetic variation between different yeasts of the same species than between humans and chimpanzees. This is one of the findings of a new study. This study heralds a new era in evolutionary genetics research -- the mapping of an individual's DNA. Sun, 15 Feb 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090213114325.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090211101711.htm There are two species of lice that infest humans: pubic lice, Pthirus pubis, and human head and body lice, Pediculus humanus. A new article suggests one explanation for the separation of the two species. Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090211101711.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090202174958.htm With most mammals, the biggest and most aggressive male claims the alpha male role and gets his choice of food and females. But a new study suggests that at least among chimpanzees, smaller, more mild-mannered males can also use political behavior to secure the top position. Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090202174958.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090202140437.htm Orphaned chimpanzee infants given special ‘mothering’ by humans are more advanced than the average child at nine months of age. In the first study to examine the effect of different types of care for infant chimpanzees on cognition, researchers found chimpanzees who were given extra emotionally-based care were more cognitively advanced than human infants. Humans overtake chimpanzees in development terms as they grow older but the study sends stark warnings that looking after just an infant’s physical needs is likely to result in a child who is maladjusted, unhappy and under-achieving. Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090202140437.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090112201214.htm A new area of the cerebral cortex has evolved to enable man and higher primates to pick up small objects and deftly use tools. The brain's primary motor cortex turns out to have neighboring "old" and "new" parts. In most animals, including cats, rats and some monkeys, the old primary motor cortex controls movement indirectly through the circuitry of the spinal cord. Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090112201214.htm