A new study suggests same-sex behaviour in primates is widespread and may have evolved to strengthen social bonds that help groups survive challenging environments.
Researchers at Imperial College London say same-sex behaviour (SSB) among primates is more common in harsh or dangerous habitats and complex social groups, suggesting it may help strengthen bonds that aid survival. The analysis, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, reviewed data on 491 primate species, finding SSB in 59.
Co-author Professor Vincent Savolainen said, “Our findings suggest that SSB is widespread rather than rare and that it has likely evolved multiple times across primate lineages,” while cautioning the study makes no direct claims about human sexuality and calls for further research into survival outcomes.