Yes, you're likely referring to research about
bonobos and
chimpanzees, particularly in the context of mating behaviors and cross-species interactions. In some cases, female apes from one species may exhibit mating preferences that seem unusual or different from what we might expect.
For example:
- Bonobos and Chimpanzees: There have been instances where female bonobos (which are a close relative to chimpanzees) have been observed showing interest in male chimpanzees or males of other species within the same genus (Pan). This is somewhat rare, but it can happen in certain circumstances, especially in captivity, where the apes are kept in proximity to each other.
- Sexual Behavior and Mate Choice: In the wild, female bonobos often display more sexual behavior compared to chimpanzees, and female bonobos can be more socially dominant. This can lead to different mating strategies, where females may form alliances with males, sometimes preferring males that are not the typical dominant ones in their own species but those that might be more compatible or cooperative with them.
- Cross-Species Hybridization: There's also some literature on the possibility of cross-species hybridization in the Pan genus, with bonobo-chimpanzee hybrids being discussed in theoretical terms due to the close genetic relationship between the species. In such cases, female bonobos might choose males of different species, leading to the idea of cross-species mating preferences in rare conditions.
This kind of behavior isn't the norm across all ape species, but it highlights the complexity of mating preferences in primates, which can vary depending on environmental conditions, social structures, and the availability of mates.