Humans hug meerkats in monogamy ranking

Humans are a bit like meerkats when it comes to mating, according to a study that examined the monogamous lifestyles of different species.

In our romantic lives, we are more like these social, close-knit mongooses than our primate cousins, suggests a “classification” of monogamy compiled by scientists.

At 66% monogamous, humans score surprisingly high, well above chimpanzees and gorillas, and on par with meerkats.

However, we are by no means the most monogamous of creatures. The first place is occupied by the Californian mouse, a rodent that forms inseparable and lasting bonds.

“There is a major league of monogamy, in which humans sit comfortably, while the vast majority of other mammals take a much more promiscuous approach to mating,” said Dr. Mark Dyble of the University of Cambridge.

In the animal world, forming pairs has its advantages, which is why it has evolved independently in multiple species, including us. Experts have proposed several benefits of so-called social monogamy, where pairs pair up for at least one breeding season to care for their young and ward off rivals.

Dr. Dyble examined various human populations throughout history, calculating the proportions of full siblings (where individuals share the same mother and father) compared to half-siblings, individuals who share either a mother or a father, but not both. Similar data were collected for more than 30 monogamous social mammals and other mammals.

Humans have a 66% full-sibling monogamy rate, ahead of meerkats (60%) but behind beavers (73%).

Meanwhile, our evolutionary cousins ​​are at the bottom of the table: mountain gorillas have a rating of 6%, while chimpanzees occupy only 4% (along with the dolphin).

In last place is the Soay sheep of Scotland, where females mate with several males, with 0.6% full siblings. The Californian mouse came out on top, with 100%.

However, being classified alongside meerkats and beavers doesn’t mean our societies are the same: human society is polar opposites.

“Although the full sibling rates we see in humans are very similar to those in species like meerkats or beavers, the social system we see in humans is very different,” Dr Dyble told BBC News.

“Most of these species live in colony-like social groups or perhaps live in solitary pairs that go together. Humans are very different from that. We live in what we call multi-male, multi-female groups, within which we have these monogamous or pair-bonded units.”

Dr. Kit Opie of the University of Bristol, who is not connected to the study, said this is another piece of the puzzle about how human monogamy emerged.

“I think this article gives us a very clear understanding that across time and space humans are monogamous,” he said.

“Our society is much closer to chimpanzees and bonobos; we just happen to have taken a different path when it comes to mating.”

The new study is published in Proceedings of the Royal Society: Biological Sciences.