Humans and non-human animals share many social phenomena associated with group living. In simple terms, we are greatly influenced by the presence of others, even in mundane activities such as yawning, walking, foot tapping, and even dilated pupils.. In a new study, scientists have discovered another surprising behavior of chimpanzees, writes IFLScience..

According to Ena Onishi, first author of the study and doctoral student at the Wildlife Research Center at Kyoto University, their work showed that urination in chimpanzees is contagious.. The team conducted an observational study at the sanctuary and observed that the monkeys not only exhibited contagious urination, it was also more likely among individuals with lower dominance and those who were physically closest to the initiator of the process..

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Note that contagious urination is incredibly common among people, which has even earned its own Italian proverb: “he who does not pee in company is either a thief or a spy.”. This behavior is also widespread in Japan and has been recognized in art and culture. As a result, scientists wondered whether something so common could have evolutionary roots.?

During the study, scientists noticed that chimpanzees in the Kumamoto Nature Reserve seemed to urinate at around the same time. As a result, scientists decided to pay more attention to this behavior. They conducted 600 hours of observational research, recording 1,328 micturitions, giving them plenty of data to work with..

The team's results indicate that urination events were significantly more synchronized than would be expected if chimpanzees were simply urinating randomly. The authors also observed that infectious urination was more likely among those who were physically closest to the person initiating the urination.. At the same time, social rank, according to scientists, did not affect the likelihood of the behavior spreading. At the same time, individuals with lower dominance were more likely to urinate if someone else was doing it.

According to Onishi, scientists aren't sure why this only happens among low-ranking individuals, but one theory is that high-ranking individuals might actually influence others' urination more often, but scientists lack evidence.

If so, this behavior may indicate a form of covert leadership, where high-ranking individuals play a role in synchronizing the group's behavior.

Another theory is that low-ranking individuals have an attentional bias. In simple terms, they are more likely to notice and respond to the behavior of others. Third possibility: It may also be due to traits associated with low rank, such as personality differences or greater motivation to get close to other group members.

Focus previously wrote that chimpanzees constantly learn throughout their lives.