From The Global Post: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/weird-wide-web/study-female-bonobos-homosexual-relations
A new study has found that female bonobos, known as the warrior chimp’s lovemaking cousin, ‘advertise’ their homosexual relations.
Talia Ralph
March 1, 2012
Female bonobos are sexual show-offs, using homosexual relations to get ahead in their social circles, according to a new study published in Scientific Reports journal on Thursday.
Researchers who studied the apes’ communication and interactions found that females made the most noise during sex if the “alpha female” was close by, BBC News reported. Low-ranking females that were invited to have sex with high-ranking females would also call to tell other group members about the experience.
“Bonobo females frequently form close bonds, which give them social power over other group members,” according to the study. “One potential mechanism to facilitate female bonding is the performance of sexual interactions.”
The female bonobos use sex to reduce stress and competition, develop affiliations, express and test social relationships and for reconciling conflicts and consoling victims in distress, Dr Zanna Clay, from Emory University in Atlanta, told the BBC.
Continue reading at: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/weird-wide-web/study-female-bonobos-homosexual-relations
03/04/2012 at 10:44 am
Love, love, love the bonobos! Vanessa Woods’ book, “Bonobo Handshake” is a wonderful visit to our closest and sexiest relatives.