Linked Variants Are Associated with Social Behavior Differences in Bonobos ().

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in forkhead box protein P2 () and oxytocin receptor () genes have been associated with linguistic and social development in humans, as well as to symptom severity in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Studying biobehavioral mechanisms in the species most closely related to humans can provide insights into the origins of human communication, and the impact of genetic variation on complex behavioral phenotypes. Here, we aimed to determine if bonobos () exhibit individual variation in and loci that have been associated with human social development and behavior.