Wobber

Harvard University graduate student Victoria Wobber, her advisor, Richard Wrangham, and a third colleague gave a number of captive apes a choice between cooked and raw food.

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"These cortisol increases occurred in both individuals in the non-sharing pairs [of bonobos] - both the dominant and the subordinate," Wobber said.

Livescience.com 2010

In chimp society, where hogging the food pile is a privilege of rank, younger animals have to learn which adults can be begged from and which cannot, Wobber said.

PhysOrg.com - latest science and technology news stories 2010

In one test of social skills, Wobber had two humans hold treats concealed in their hands, while a third human was empty-handed.

PhysOrg.com - latest science and technology news stories 2010

These experiments don't mean the bonobos are less smart, Wobber said.

PhysOrg.com - latest science and technology news stories 2010

"We knew that this candy stimulated saliva without changing steroid levels, so we needed to use that particular candy, but it needed to be in powder form," Wobber told LiveScience.

Livescience.com 2010

"Chimpanzee males reacted to the competition as if it was a threat to their status, while bonobos reacted as if a potential competition is stressful by showing changes in their cortisol levels," Wobber said.

Livescience.com 2010

These experiments don't mean the bonobos are less smart, Wobber said.

PhysOrg.com - latest science and technology news stories 2010

"It's actually an area for future research whether the same man, presented with different events, would react differently, being chimpanzee-like in one situation and bonobo-like in another, or show a similar profile across situations, being always chimpanzee-like, for example," Wobber said.

Livescience.com 2010

These experiments don't mean the bonobos are less smart, Wobber said.

PhysOrg.com - latest science and technology news stories 2010