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Marmoset monkeys exist on a branch of the evolutionary tree that is distinct
from the one that led to humans. But these fellow primates consistently
astonish researchers with social behavior that seems, well, pretty
highly evolved.
Marmosets engage in rigorously polite patterns of communication and do not talk over or interrupt each other. Though territorial, they are so inquisitive that they will watch videos of marmosets they do not know and learn from them.
Marmosets' social organization and child-rearing practices could have
been the model for the phrase, "it takes a village." A dominant male and
female breed, and their babies are meticulously looked after by
extended family members who then aren't free to breed themselves.
A new study further burnishes the marmoset's reputation for admirable community values. Researchers
report that these caregivers share their food more generously with
little ones in private than when they're surrounded by the watchful eyes
of other community members.
Such seemingly selfless behavior makes the common marmoset a
particular puzzle for researchers keen to explain the already-perplexing
phenomenon of altruism in humans and a few other higher-order primates.
After all, in stark evolutionary terms, kindness, generosity and
self-sacrifice make no sense. When an individual's survival and the
propagation of his genes arguably depend on his hoarding every advantage
for himself, why on earth would he forfeit anything to benefit a fellow
member of his species?
For marmosets, it's hard enough to explain the willingness of some
family members to delay or forgo breeding to help out with a relative's
offspring. But to share food with those babies when no one's looking?
That just defies all expectations.
In complex societies where individuals band together for mutual
protection, researchers have come up with a few widely embraced
explanations for altruistic behavior.
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