THE hallmarks of culture — behaviour that is passed on by social rather than genetic influences — have been identified in gorillas for the first time, showing that all the great apes are capable of developing behavioural traditions that are peculiar to certain groups.

A survey of captive gorillas kept in American zoos has disclosed more than 40 idiosyncratic behaviours that are learnt from other members of the group, providing the first firm evidence of cultural variation among the animals.

Learnt cultural traditions, such as the use of particular tools for collecting termites or cracking nuts, are well-documented among chimpanzees and bonobos, and have also been observed in orang-utans.

Evidence for these practices, however, has long been elusive among gorillas. This is because of the remoteness of gorilla bands, and because their great strength and vegetarian diet means there is less call for them to develop innovative habits. The varied diet of chimps has created great scope for groups to invent ways of fishing for termites, while gorillas in all habitats can simply pull off the leaves they eat.

A team led by Tania Stoinski, of Zoo Atlanta, studied captive gorillas in zoos across the US, comparing 25 bands in 17 institutions. They found striking differences in their behaviour, with 48 traits that were culturally learnt and observed in one or more bands but not all of them.

At Zoo Atlanta, for example, one group of gorillas had learnt to use sticks to lift up an electric fence protecting trees so they could feed on the bark, but other groups at the zoo had not figured this out.

Dr Stoinski told the association: “That really does suggest that these behaviours are universal to groups and spread between group members, which is pretty much the definition of culture.”

Her team is now seeking to start new behavioural traditions in gorilla groups to see if they are picked up and spread.

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