The Pan Troglodytes With a genetic code of 98.4% - 99.4% identical to human beings, and a lineage that matches our own all the way to the family hominidae it comes as no surprise that of all the variety of species and living organisms that chimpanzees would seem the most human-like. Below I intend to discuss the chimpanzee’s taxonomy, morphology, habitat, and social structure.
The chimpanzee’s taxonomy, or pan troglodytes (species name for the chimpanzee) hails from the genus: pan, family: hominidae, super family: Hominoidea, infraorder: simiiformes and suborder: Haplorrhini. Known sub-species include P. t. Schweinfurthii, P. t. Troglodytes, P. t. Vellerosus, and P. t. Verus. Chimpanzee’s are generally found to be diurnal and live on average …show more content…
Chimpanzees comprise social groups commonly referred to ‘communities’. These communities can range anywhere from 40 to 60 members which can be further broken down into small elements of up 10 members, which are generally family; in which they travel their range (territory). All members will have a mental map of their range which will prevent them from not only becoming separated from the group but also from stumbling into a rival communities range. Most of the time the community is split, living their day to day lives these small 10 chimp elements, coming together usually only to mate or fight a …show more content…
Every community will have one alpha which will be a male, usually between the ages of 20 and 26 years old. There are many factors that determine the intermediate social status within the community such as physical fitness, fighting skill, political influence (which I was surprised to find out), intelligence and aggressiveness. Social status can either change or be maintained depend on the specific chimpanzee and is usually reinforced by communication via grooming and/or physical contact. Mates are chosen in much the same fashion as the social hierarchy is structured with the alpha choosing which mate(s) he wants. It has been observed that a popular female in heat may be accompanied by one or all of the males in the group as permitted. Alpha or dominant males may show ownership toward a certain female(s). Males with less social standing perform courtship to acquire a female which involves leading a female away from the group until pregnant and then returning. Males have also been seen killing infants of other males in an effort to promote that its own genetic lineage with a specific and desired female. Infanticide isn 't the only case of the killing of a member of its own
The chimpanzee’s taxonomy, or pan troglodytes (species name for the chimpanzee) hails from the genus: pan, family: hominidae, super family: Hominoidea, infraorder: simiiformes and suborder: Haplorrhini. Known sub-species include P. t. Schweinfurthii, P. t. Troglodytes, P. t. Vellerosus, and P. t. Verus. Chimpanzee’s are generally found to be diurnal and live on average …show more content…
Chimpanzees comprise social groups commonly referred to ‘communities’. These communities can range anywhere from 40 to 60 members which can be further broken down into small elements of up 10 members, which are generally family; in which they travel their range (territory). All members will have a mental map of their range which will prevent them from not only becoming separated from the group but also from stumbling into a rival communities range. Most of the time the community is split, living their day to day lives these small 10 chimp elements, coming together usually only to mate or fight a …show more content…
Every community will have one alpha which will be a male, usually between the ages of 20 and 26 years old. There are many factors that determine the intermediate social status within the community such as physical fitness, fighting skill, political influence (which I was surprised to find out), intelligence and aggressiveness. Social status can either change or be maintained depend on the specific chimpanzee and is usually reinforced by communication via grooming and/or physical contact. Mates are chosen in much the same fashion as the social hierarchy is structured with the alpha choosing which mate(s) he wants. It has been observed that a popular female in heat may be accompanied by one or all of the males in the group as permitted. Alpha or dominant males may show ownership toward a certain female(s). Males with less social standing perform courtship to acquire a female which involves leading a female away from the group until pregnant and then returning. Males have also been seen killing infants of other males in an effort to promote that its own genetic lineage with a specific and desired female. Infanticide isn 't the only case of the killing of a member of its own