tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785493.post249372476475658605..comments2024-01-04T04:11:55.717+02:00Comments on Dienekes’ Anthropology Blog: Altruistic adopting forest chimpanzeesDienekeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082684850093948970noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785493.post-76024984585448281522010-02-12T14:51:16.947+02:002010-02-12T14:51:16.947+02:00has there been any research to the opposite effect...has there been any research to the opposite effect? that like in humans offspring later on supports the parent? i would think that is one explanation, it also explains why adoption would occur way less in captivity where food supply is a completely different phenomenon.onixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03063983314231972946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785493.post-65081993962475885432010-02-02T20:48:14.225+02:002010-02-02T20:48:14.225+02:00The study is also notable for chimp gender stereot...The study is also notable for chimp gender stereotype breakdowns. We think of chimps as pretty sexually dimorphic But, the behavior in the study by the adopting male chimps is very nuturing.Andrew Oh-Willekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02537151821869153861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785493.post-79070901439822219492010-02-02T02:10:01.842+02:002010-02-02T02:10:01.842+02:00I'm wondering if anyone has done a study on do...I'm wondering if anyone has done a study on dolphin adoption. I'd guess elephants too, but the poor male elephants get kicked out of the herd at some point, so in their case, we'd only see adoption by female elephants.Marniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10850856778953207810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785493.post-77079429137672637642010-02-02T01:25:02.372+02:002010-02-02T01:25:02.372+02:00Marnie:
I agree with you about male chimps never ...Marnie:<br /><br />I agree with you about male chimps never knowing who their children are and so it may be to their advantage to take the risk of supporting non-offspring. Also these adoptees may be nephews and nieces of the males and so still share a considerable amount of DNA even if they are not offspring.Average Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12203996329459638052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785493.post-48516919790678943722010-02-01T19:38:13.271+02:002010-02-01T19:38:13.271+02:00The paper comments that adoption is "costly.&...The paper comments that adoption is "costly." <br /><br />It is true that chimpanzees would end up sharing resources with a young chimp that is not their child. Yes, that is costly.<br /><br />But surely chimps are smart enough to perceive that their "relatedness" extends beyond their immediate children.<br /><br />The paper mentions that male chimpanzees adopted young chimps, both male and female. Since male chimps never completely know who their offspring are, they would probably be more willing than females to look out for the wellfare of the tribe, not just their immediate family. They would most likely not know who their immediate offspring are, in any case.<br /><br />In adopting a member of their extended family, the chimps would also be able to pass on their "culture", as in food gathering techniques, etc. Passing on culture would likely increase the survivability of the group.<br /><br />The authors are very cautious not to overstate their claims, but it is touching to read about this chimp group.Marniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10850856778953207810noreply@blogger.com