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| orangutan |
In humans , behavioral innovations are often passed down culturally from one generation to the next through social learning . For many , the existence of culture in humans is the key adaptation that distinguishes us from animals . Is it a culture unique to humans or has deeper evolutionary roots , however, is still one of the unsolved question of science . About 10 years ago , biologists were observing great apes in the wild reported a geographic variation in patterns of behavior that can only emerge through cultural transmission of innovations , similar to humans . This observation sparked a fierce debate among scientists who are still in progress . Until now , it is still debated whether the geographic variation in behavior is culturally driven or the result of genetic factors and environmental influences .
Humans are not the only culture that has
Anthropologists of Zurich University now studying whether the geographic variation of behavioral patterns of nine orangutan populations in Sumatra and Borneo can be explained by cultural transmission . " This is the case , the interpretation of cultural diversity also applies to the behavior of orangutans - and in exactly the same way as we would expect in a human culture , " explains Michael Krützen , prime author of the study published in Current Biology . The researchers suggest that genetic factors and environmental influences can not explain the pattern of behavior of the orangutan population . The ability to learn new things socially and pass it on for many generations , not only in humans but also in monkeys . " It seems that the ability to act culturally constructed by the life expectancy of apes long and needs to be able to adapt to constantly changing environmental conditions , " added Krutzen , concluded that " Now we know the roots of human culture is much deeper than previously thought . Human culture is built on a solid foundation for millions of years and shared with other great apes . "
The largest dataset for great ape species
In their study , the researchers used the largest dataset ever collected for a species of great apes . They analyzed about 100 thousand hours of behavioral data , genetic profiling of 150 wild orangutans and measured ecological differences between populations taking satellite imagery and advanced remote sensing techniques . "The novelty of our study , " said author Carel van Schaik , " is the size of our dataset unexpected , we were able to measure the influence of genetic and environmental factors on behavior patterns in orangutan populations . "
When the researchers examined the parameters responsible for differences in social structure and behavioral ecology between orangutan populations , environmental influences , and genetic factors play an important role , it is evident that the measured parameters are correct . This , in turn , is important for the main question whether genetic or environmental influences can explain the patterns of behavior of the orangutan population . " That did not happen . As a result, we can prove that the cultural interpretation for behavioral diversity is also true for orangutans , "concluded van Schaik .
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