Transforming Mean Girls: How Lemur Brain Changes Inspire Kindness

If there were a crown for the toughest female bullies in the animal kingdom, lemurs would likely be contenders. In many lemur communities, the females take charge, using aggression to maintain dominance and keep the males in check.

However, not all lemur societies follow this pattern. Recent research shows that some species have developed a more balanced dynamic between genders over the last million years. This shift appears to involve changes in how a hormone called oxytocin functions in their brains.

A recent study from Duke University explored seven lemur species in the genus Eulemur. Researchers looked at which species had dominating females and which exhibited a more equal social structure. For instance, in blue-eyed black lemurs, the females have first access to food and prime resting spots. They often assert their dominance by biting and chasing the males, even when no real threat is present.

Christine Drea, an evolutionary anthropology professor at Duke, said this aggression isn’t protective behavior but a way to remind others of their authority. “Males let females have priority access to whatever they want,” she explained.

In contrast, species like collared lemurs demonstrate a more cooperative approach. Both males and females share equal status, creating a more peaceful environment. Allie Schrock, who completed her Ph.D. in Drea’s lab, noted, "It’s more of an even playing field."

The insights from this study depend on tissue samples and brain scans from lemurs that passed away. Using an imaging technique, researchers discovered differences in oxytocin receptors in the brains of domineering versus egalitarian species. They found that the more cooperative species had more oxytocin receptors, particularly in the amygdala, a brain region linked to emotions like fear and aggression.

Interestingly, both sexes in these egalitarian species showed an overall reduction in aggression. This suggests that achieving gender balance may involve creating a less aggressive community rather than simply having males adapt to match the females’ behavior.

The implications of these findings extend beyond lemurs. Issues with oxytocin signaling are tied to aggression, personality disorders, and autism in both humans and animals, according to existing studies.

Looking ahead, researchers are eager to delve deeper. They plan to investigate how hormone receptors influence social behaviors in lemurs, whether they tend to be solitary or social creatures. As Schrock put it, “There’s a lot more that we can learn from lemurs about how the brain regulates behavior.”

For more in-depth information, check out the study in the journal Biology Letters here. This ongoing research might not only shed light on lemur behavior but could also provide broader insights into human social dynamics.

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