April 6, 2016

Female Japanese macaques at the center of their social network had less lice thanks to the extra grooming they receive from their many friends. This was especially true during winter when macaques mate and during summer when they give birth. Photo by Julie Duboscq/Kyoto University

For Macaques, More Friends Means Fewer Parasites

April 6, 2016April 4, 2016 Science Connectedmonkeys, primates

By Emily Rhode @riseandsci What if instead of just hanging out on lunch dates or at happy hour, people sat around and picked parasites from their friends’ bodies? That probably wouldn’t go over too well with humans, but primate researchers from Kyoto University have found that for Japanese macaques, popularity might just be the key to better health and hygiene. Winning This Popularity Contest Could Mean Fewer Lice for Female Macaques Normally, more social interaction between animals means more of a chance to spread parasites and disease (think being confined indoors…