A new study published by the University of Cambridge published in Proceedings of the Royal Society: Biological Scienceshas put humans in a surprising position: they’re a bit like meerkats when it comes to mating.
We’re closer to these social, close-knit mongooses than to our primate cousins, according to a ‘competition table’ of monogamy compiled by scientists.
It has been observed that humans, with a monogamous rate of 66%, rank unexpectedly high, far above chimpanzees and gorillas, and on par with meerkats.
However, in the animal world, mating has its advantages, which may be why it has evolved individually in different species.
In this regard, experts have suggested several clear benefits of so-called social monogamy, in which partners come together for at least a breeding season to care for their young.
The analysis found that humans have a monogamy score, measured by 66% full siblings, putting them ahead of meerkats (60%) but behind beavers (73%).
The related species are at the bottom of the table: mountain gorillas have a rating of 6%, while chimpanzees score only 4%.
Dr Dyble said BBC news“Although the numbers of full siblings we see in humans are most similar to those of species such as meerkats or beavers, the social system we see in humans is very difficult.”
He went on to say, “Most of these species live in colony-like social groups or perhaps live in solitary pairs that move around together. We live in what we call multi-made, multi-female groups, within which we have these monogamous or pair-bonded units.”
The recent revelation suggests that humans have been monogamous across time and space.
Rather, the study concludes that our society’s mating patterns differ much more clearly from those of chimpanzees and bonobos, because humans have a distinct route when it comes to mating.
