Antropologia
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Daily Differences in Bonobo Activities: More Sex in the Morning?

David Beaune* and Pamela Heidi Douglas

This technical note for field primatologists demonstrates that behavioral activities are not consistent throughout the day. In LuiKotale (DR Congo), a habituated group of bonobos (Pan paniscus) was continuously followed in 2010 and 2011 (38 and 124 entire days of analyzable data) for comparison of the morning and afternoon activities (mid-day=11:30). While group size, number of females, and feeding activity are similar, bonobos travel more in the afternoon. Furthermore, sexual activities show differences: bonobos copulate more in the morning and homosexual interaction between females (GG rubbing) seems to be consistent between morning and afternoon. This fact highlights the risk of bias in studies based on number of hours observation. Preliminary observation during entire days is a prerequisite for generalization of a behavior with bonobos and probably, other primates and animals.