What

1
Whats in a Name?Pan paniscus

• The common name of Pan paniscus has been a point
  of confusion. Originally bonobos were referred
  to as pygmy chimpanzees (chimpanzé nain in
  French) but this is a misnomer, because it
  suggests that Pan paniscus is a diminutive form
  of chimp (Pan troglodytes), which is not the
  case. The two are distinct species, with marked
  differences. Bonobos are also called by various
  names in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Bonobo The accepted common name.
• Pygmy Chimpanzee This moniker is still used to
  describe PP.
• Chimpanzé Nain French term also used to describe
  PP.
• Elia The name used by the Mongandu people.
• Eja (or eja moto) The name used by the Mongo
  people.
• Mokomboso or Sokomoto Lingala words, meaning
  like man. Lingala is the common language spoken
  throughout the Congo. These terms are used to
  describe both bonobos and chimpanzees.

2
Almost Human

• Bonobos and chimpanzees split from the common
  ancestor 3 mya
• Bonobos and chimps share 98.4 of the human
  genome
• Bonobos and chimps are more closely related
  genetically to each other and humans than they
  are to gorillas
• Bonobo anatomy most closely resembles
  Australopithecus

3
Kingdom Animalia

• Phylum.
• Class.
• Order.
• Family.
• Genus.
• Species.

• Chordata
• Mammalia
• Hominidae
• Primate
• Pan
• Paniscus

4
Distinguishing Physical Characteristics

• Male 3'3" to 4', 65 to 110 lb.
• Female 3' to 3'3", 55 to 65 lb.
• Slightly smaller head and ears, smaller brow
  ridge and prognathism compared to chimps (Pan
  troglodytes)
• Skull upright on spine longer legs and shorter
  arms facilitate bipedal walking
• Black face, red lips
• Toes 2 3 webbed
• Forward genital position of females allows
  face-to-face mating, once thought uniquely human.

5
Life Stage Age (years)

• Nursing Period 0-5
• First Genital swelling 7
• Begins to wander between groups 8
• Settles into new group 9-13
• Menarche and first-sized swelling 10
• Growth-cessation 14-16
• First offspring 13-15
• Cessation of ovulation 40
• Longevity 50-55
• Number of offspring possible in lifetime 5 6