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milestogo

(17,517 posts)
Wed Jun 7, 2023, 12:16 PM Jun 2023

Origins of masturbation traced back to primates 40m years ago

Behaviour predates humans by tens of millions of years but evolutionary purpose is less clear, scientists say



Evolutionary biologists have traced the origins of masturbation to ancient primates that predate the first humans by tens of millions of years. The findings emerged from what scientists believe is the largest dataset ever compiled on the activity, and confirm that humans arose on a branch of the tree of life replete with self-pleasuring predecessors.

“What we can say is this behaviour was present around 40m years ago, in the common ancestor of all monkeys and apes,” said Dr Matilda Brindle, the lead researcher on the study at University College London. “It’s not that some species woke up one day and started doing it. This is an ancient, evolved trait.” Brindle and her colleagues delved deep into the history of the behaviour in the hope of understanding the origins of what at first glance seems an evolutionary conundrum. From an evolutionary perspective, masturbation appears costly, distracting, wasteful, even risky.

To reconstruct the history of the act, the scientists pulled together hundreds of publications, questionnaire responses and personal notes about masturbating primates from primatologists and zoo keepers. They then mapped the information on to primate evolutionary trees, revealing how the activity reached back through time. Writing in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the team describes how masturbation appeared common across primates of all sexes and ages. But why it evolved more than 40m years ago is less clear. Historically, biological studies have neglected females, giving the authors little good data to go on. For males, however, there are at least hints.

The scientists’ analyses found support for the idea that male masturbation boosted the chances of impregnating a mate. For example, a low-ranking male may masturbate just enough to increase their arousal before sex, meaning they inseminate their partner faster – and before a burly competitor has the chance to knock them off and spoil the fun. Masturbation could also help males to shed old sperm, leaving them with fresher, more competitive sperm for sex.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/jun/07/origins-masturbation-traced-back-primates-40m-years-ago

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Origins of masturbation traced back to primates 40m years ago (Original Post) milestogo Jun 2023 OP
Well, yeah, all you have to do is go to your local zoo. nt Laffy Kat Jun 2023 #1
Well, that is a relief. ;) Chainfire Jun 2023 #2
Does this explain why it gives you hairy palms? Ocelot II Jun 2023 #3
... milestogo Jun 2023 #5
We low-ranking males have to stick together. Sneederbunk Jun 2023 #4
In a tournament species that also lives in packs, like Chimps Hugh_Lebowski Jun 2023 #6
OMG...something else that we cannot teach in Florida! Sancho Jun 2023 #7
Good one! anciano Jun 2023 #8
Well then dweller Jun 2023 #9
I guess I owe some ancient monkey 3Hotdogs Jun 2023 #10
So, did ancient monkeys draw pictures of this activity in caves? Bayard Jun 2023 #11
Monkey porn on cave walls. milestogo Jun 2023 #12
I had the same question intrepidity Jun 2023 #15
Well what you would do in captivity might be quite a bit different than what you'd do in the wild. milestogo Jun 2023 #17
Very valid point nt intrepidity Jun 2023 #18
But Alito STILL doesn't think it conforms to traditional mores. Girard442 Jun 2023 #13
How does one even study this? intrepidity Jun 2023 #14
Where is there a graduate program in ancient primate sexual behavior? milestogo Jun 2023 #16
 

Hugh_Lebowski

(33,643 posts)
6. In a tournament species that also lives in packs, like Chimps
Wed Jun 7, 2023, 12:23 PM
Jun 2023

it could also be a way that social harmony was kept. There can only be one or two alpha males in a pack, and they defend their harems. Having a certain % of the males engage in self-pleasure instead of fighting for mates is probably overall a positive development for their society. As would be male/male lifelong romantic partnerships.

Males fighting is also "costly, distracting, wasteful, even risky." in a manner of speaking, though also important genetically insofar as the most fit males get to breed which helps the pack in the long run.

Bayard

(24,145 posts)
11. So, did ancient monkeys draw pictures of this activity in caves?
Wed Jun 7, 2023, 01:44 PM
Jun 2023

How can it be proved happening 40M years ago, because a group of scientists think so?

intrepidity

(7,854 posts)
15. I had the same question
Wed Jun 7, 2023, 03:02 PM
Jun 2023

I guess this is the answer:

To reconstruct the history of the act, the scientists pulled together hundreds of publications, questionnaire responses and personal notes about masturbating primates from primatologists and zoo keepers. They then mapped the information on to primate evolutionary trees, revealing how the activity reached back through time.

intrepidity

(7,854 posts)
14. How does one even study this?
Wed Jun 7, 2023, 02:59 PM
Jun 2023

I guess I'd be more curious about species that *don't* and why that would be?

ETA: nevermind, after thinking for a minute, I guess I can see how it might not survive intense selection pressure, lol, doh.

milestogo

(17,517 posts)
16. Where is there a graduate program in ancient primate sexual behavior?
Wed Jun 7, 2023, 03:52 PM
Jun 2023

Might not be a good job skill, but you would be very interesting at cocktail parties.

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