Monkeys pass on popularity to kids

Scientists have found that being popular actually runs in the family - at least for monkeys! A two-year study of rhesus macaque monkeys found monkeys who were social and popular tended to have descendants with a similar nature.

Scientists have found that being popular actually runs in the family - at least for monkeys!

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A two-year study of rhesus macaque monkeys found monkeys who were social and popular tended to have descendants with a similar nature.

The team's analysis of the troop's family trees and genetics suggested that being social was a trait passed on by natural selection.

"Natural selection appears to be favouring pro-social behaviour," Lauren Brent, who led the Duke University study, said.