Network analysis highlights socio-demographic patterns of stone tool-using primates

Researchers analyzed the social networks of long-tailed macaques in Thailand to understand how stone tool use correlates with social behavior. The study found that while males were more likely to use tools, tool users and non-users maintained similar social connectivity, though non-users tended to associate primarily with each other.
Why it matters
This research provides evolutionary context for the social integration of technological behaviors in primates, offering clues into the origins of human tool use.
Scientific Reports volume 16 , Article number: 23720 ( 2026 ) Cite this article
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