Primate

February 7, 20243min readMost primate societies have long been assumed to be male-dominated, but a new study shows many have females in charge or feature power sharingBy Sara Novak Female lemurs call the shots in their societies. Not only do dominant females choose their own mates; they also use prompts—such as tail and fur pulling or the occasional nip—with both males and females to dictate which other females in the group can mate. Primatologists have long categorized the world’s 108 lemur species as a female-ruled…

The largest primate in our family tree went extinct hundreds of thousands of years ago, and its existence has been known to humankind for less than a century. Now, a team of researchers has reviewed the ancient records and devised a more specific extinction window for our huge fallen relative, Gigantopithecus blacki, and pointed out a few possible causes for its demise.Gamifying Physical Therapy With the PalmPlug OneThe ape went extinct between 295,000 and 215,000 years ago, according to the new study. As the climate of…

Research on human foot evolution highlights the importance of the medial longitudinal arch and explores the variability in foot morphology, influenced by factors like lifestyle, footwear, and genetic traits. Credit: SciTechDaily.com A comprehensive study reveals new insights into the evolution and complexity of the human foot, focusing on the medial longitudinal arch and its significance in differentiating Homo sapiens from primates. “The human foot is one of the most complex masterpieces of evolution, a work of art in…

More than 30 years after it was identified as a key ‘longevity gene,’ the protein klotho has been used to boost the cognitive function of aging rhesus macaques, paving the way for human trials.Following on from recent mice models, an international team of scientists found that the working memory and task-completion abilities of 18 rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), aged an average of 22 years (the human-equivalent of around 65), was boosted when injected with the klotho protein.The researchers include scientists from the…

An international research consortium co-led by scientists from multiple universities has released a series of studies detailing new high-quality reference genomes from 50 primate species, 27 of which were sequenced for the first time. The findings offer fresh insights into primate evolution, speciation, genomic diversity, and the evolution of brain and other traits, enhancing our understanding of the human genetic architecture, primate diversification, and significant evolutionary phenomena like hybridization and…

There are all kinds of bacteria living in our gut, contributing to the healthy (or unhealthy) processes going on inside our bodies, but it turns out that we've lost a lot of the microbes that we once shared with our ancient primate ancestors.Looking at genetic material in the guts of modern-day chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes and P. t. schweinfurthii) and bonobos (P. paniscus), researchers traced back the lineages of their gut bacteria millions of years, before comparing them with the microbes that now live in…

In a world first, scientists from 24 countries have mapped the DNA of more than 233 different primate species, more than quadrupling the existing genetic data, providing crucial new insights into disease-causing genetic mutations in humans.“Humans are primates," said lead author Tomàs Marquès-Bonet, professor at Pompeu Fabra University, Spain. "The study of hundreds of nonhuman primate genomes, given their phylogenetic position, is very valuable for human evolutionary studies, to better understand the human genome and the…

Humans have long seen themselves mirrored in other primates, with apes’ social behavior and cognitive abilities shedding light on our own. Now, two international teams have stared deeper into the mirror. By sequencing the genomes of more than 200 nonhuman primates, from palm-size mouse lemurs to 200-kilogram gorillas, they have come up with clues to human health and disease, and to the origin of our species. The genomes and their analyses, reported today in…

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a serious liver disease that occurs when fat accumulates in the liver, leading to inflammation and scarring. It is a type of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and is often associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol levels. Symptoms of NASH may not be present in the early stages, but as the disease progresses, it can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and even liver cancer.Millions of people are affected by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is a…

A team of researchers performed magic tricks for several species of monkey, and they found that the animals’ gullibility may depend on the structure of their hands.Rare Polar Bear Attack in Canada | Extreme EarthSpecifically, the team found that the monkeys were more likely to be duped by the sleight of hand if they had opposable thumbs. The research is published today in Cell Biology.Magic tricks are a great way to test animal intelligence, perception, and cognition. The researchers used a classic trick called the French…