A baby bonobo, happy to see you.
I dedicate this short post to Tamiko and Sev, and their dad, who are all in various aspects of the biz. Probably knew this years ago from being so much closer to the research. And a hat tip to pal Erik for this.
Recently on Boing-Boing, Maggie Koerth-Baker reported on the AAAS conference in Chicago, where biology prof Kenneth Miller gave a talk on evolution, with a really neat little tidbit.
Traditionally, there’s been a little confusion about our nearest relatives, chimpanzees, because genetically we have 46 chromosomes and they have 48. And really, shouldn’t your genetics be pretty close to your cousins? Turns out over the past 20 years, research has shown they are. There’s just been a little bit of efficiency in the splicing. Very cool.
Now that we’re really feeling close to family, I’ll leave you with the pictures above and below, of our bonobo cousins. Bonobos are a pacifistic offshoot of the chimp line. Unlike the aggressive, hairy chimp, bonobos are have a lot less hair, are structured more like humans, and resolve their differences in a friendlier way. A much friendlier way. Yes, even between those of the same gender. All the time.
An adult female bonobo, happy to see you.
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David "Afarensis" Barker says:
May 12, 2009 at 3:29 pm (UTC 0)
That last one looks just like my late Aunt Lucille one Saturday night in 1969 after a night of dancing at the dancehall in Gamebridge, then gin and cards at the Legion in Beaverton.
Pamela Cook says:
June 19, 2009 at 7:46 pm (UTC 0)
That should be a game for the Wi fit to exercise with an ape I buy that!!