Bonobo, which is known historically as the Pygmy chimpanzee, is a species of great ape that is on the verge of extinction and also one of the two species that comprise the genus Pan, while the other species makes up the pan troglodytes commonly known as the common chimpanzee.
What distinguishes Bonobos from others is their pink lips, tail-tuft during adulthood, long legs, dark face, and parted long hair on their heads.
At some 500,000 km2 of the Congo Basin, DR Congo in Central Africa is where you find the Bonobo.
They are omnivores that are found in both primary and secondary forests.
The Bonobo and the common chimpanzee are the closest surviving relatives to humans.
The speciation of the Bonobo could be because they are not good at swimming.
Since the Congo River was formed some 1.5-2 million years back, the Bonobos that inhabit the south were separated from the ancestors of the common chimpanzees in the north.
Scientific Classification
- Scientific Name: Pan paniscus
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Primates
- Suborder: Haplorhini
- Infraorder: Simiiformes
- Family: Hominidae
- Subfamily: Homininae
- Tribe: Hominini
- Genus: Pan
- Species: P. paniscus
Description
The bonobo is generally tipped to be more graceful than the common chimpanzee. However, a large male chimpanzee surpasses the Bonobo in mass and weight.
The two species largely coincide in body size. Adult female bonobos are slightly smaller than adult males. Adult males usually weigh 75- 132 pounds compared to adult females, who weigh 66 pounds.
On all fours, from the nose to the torso, the length of the Bonobo is between 28-33in. The head of the Bonobo is moderately small compared to that of the common chimpanzee, with a less pronounced forehead crest over the eyes.
In terms of facial description, the Bonobo has a black face, small ears, pink lips, wide nostrils, and long hair that forms a pathway on the head. The breasts of the female Bonobo are more pronounced than those of the other female apes but not as pronounced as those of humans.
The posture and the physical features of the Bonobo give it an appearance that is very similar to that of humans, as well as that of the common chimpanzee.
There is a deviation in the facial characteristics of the bonobos, just like in the case of humans, which is very important for facial recognition during social interaction among the Bonobos.
It has been shown through Multivariate analysis that Bonobos are neotenized more than the common chimpanzee, taking into cognizance such characteristics as the moderately long trunk length of the bonobo. However, this analysis has been controversial among other researchers.
Behavior
Social Behavior
Bonobos are distinguished from nonhuman apes because of how socially organized they are. There is a bloc of highly-ranked females at the top of the hierarchy, and a few highly-ranked males, and an experienced, old senior matriarch serves as a decision-maker and the head of the group.
In some bonobo communities, there is usually a poor development of coalition among the males, whereas the case between the females is very different. Juveniles usually receive the help of their mothers in resolving conflicts with other males and forming good ties with other females, thereby promoting their chances of having grandchildren from their young males.
As a result of their random Mating with male bonobos, it is always difficult for a male bonobo to know his offspring. Hence, it is the mothers’ job to assume their offspring’s paternity.
This does not put the bonobo higher than the common chimpanzee regarding random mating. Unlike the common chimpanzee, bonobos are not known to force their females into mating.
Sociosexual behavior
Sexual activity plays a primary part in the bonobo society; according to scientists, this sexual activity is often used as an avenue for settling conflicts, for social bonding, as a form of greeting, etc.
Only humans and bonobos are the only primates to have been observed to engage in face-to-face genital sex. Bonobos are also observed to be the only non-human animal involved in tongue kissing.
Sexual activity among bonobos can also relieve tension and promote peaceful feeding when they come across any food source. This excitement at the sight of a food source is what triggers this sexual activity in bonobos.
Diet
Survey shows that 57% of the food a bonobo consumes is mostly fruit, though it also feeds on eggs, honey, and leaves. They are omnivores but feed on flying squirrels, duikers, and some invertebrates.
Distribution and Habitat
Bonobos have made the Southern part of the Congo River and also the north of the Kasai River their home.