The little monkey is attracted by the shocked twist of another mother

Scientists have observed extraordinary adoption cases of golden-nosed monkeys in thick forests in Kunlin, China (Rhinopithecus Roxellana), a challenging conventional theory on primate care and social behavior. This unprecedented event, recorded in 2020, highlights the complexity of primate society and proposes the advanced social intelligence and evolutionary cognitive levels of these amazing colored monkeys. These monkeys have very similar social structures to our humans (hierarchical structures consist of different monolayer and multifemale breeding populations, and in a geographical population with 200-300 people, an all-male bachelor, such as a small community of humans).

A team of scientists at the major animal conservation laboratories of Northwestern University, including Professor Baoguo Li, Dr. Haitao Zhao, Dr. Haitao Zhao, Professor Ruliang Pan, etc., was published in peer-reviewed journals, which meant that experts of the study were evaluated on site to ensure accuracy and credibility before publication. Scientists documented a female monkey who was not his own, and this behavior was not observed and reported in Old World monkeys. “By adopting babies with genetic links to the group’s main male, women may increase the chances of survival for her offspring and consolidate her relationship with men – in establishing male relationships, similar to the situation between the emperor and his cusp regret in ancient China, there are always challenges for women,” said Professor Pan. This novel observation adds a new dimension to understanding primate adoption and evolution, often associated with kinship or public care.

Monkeys with golden noses are often organized in multiple levels of structured social groups, where the main male controls the female harem and its offspring. In this case, senior female monkeys have more chances to produce babies. But, as humans, group (family) mating in men and women occurs occasionally. The female monkeys reported in this study first had a dominant male infant in another group. As a result, her child is at risk of infanticide, which is often reported in this and other monkey species. The baby she adopted has no biological relationship with her – her dominant male and a female-produced offspring. Genetic analysis elucidates this biological relationship. Therefore, this adaptation strategy should protect her biological offspring from potential infanticides – the dominant male kills the baby without genetic links to prepare the woman for his reproduction.

Professor Li’s team, located at Xi’an University in China, carefully observed and documented many of the situations in this and other primates, including carrying, modifying and protecting adopted babies. Interestingly, the female monkey showed the same care for her biological infant and the adopted infant, without a noticeable preference, thereby enhancing her role as a true adoptive mother rather than a mere temporary guardian. Professor Li noted: “Our findings challenge the traditional view that care terms provided by people outside the same mother, such as other women in the same group, in non-human primates, are limited to close relatives or women seeking reproductive experience.” This adoption pattern suggests that the golden nose may have a level of cognitive maturity previously considered unique to humans, including Bonobos, orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, chimpanzees and humans.

The event sheds light on social behavior and reveals the natural forces that influence how primates live and interact. Adoption may be a social strategy that enables the female monkey to remain stable within her group and reduce conflict, especially the harm to the baby. The golden-nosed monkey evolved in the harsh climate of the Pleistocene glaciers, a repetitive ice age that shaped the environment of many animal species and survival strategies including human ancestors, developing complex social structures to enhance survival. Their cognitive abilities are supported by highly developed brains and advanced facial muscles, allowing them to browse through these complex relationships.

The study provides new insights into the intelligence and adaptability of golden nose monkeys, enhancing their status as one of the most mature Old World monkeys in the evolution of primates. By documenting such rare examples of adoption, research work highlights the complex social strategies these primates have adopted to ensure population cohesion and individual survival. As Professor Li aptly stated: “This situation opens up new doors to understand how primates, including humans, can navigate for the stable interests of their offspring and groups, and explores how this phenomenon evolved from the Old World monkeys and expressed in humans (especially modern humans (especially modern humans) (especially modern humans (especially modern humans), to understand complex social structures.Homo sapiens). ”

Journal Reference

Zhao, H. ; Li, J. ;Wang, Y. ; Li, n. ; Pan, R. ;Li, B. “Unique case adopted in the golden nose monkey.” Animals, 2024, 14. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14213075

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