Although many chimpanzee populations live in environments containing oil palm nuts, members of only a few populations use stones to crack open the nuts. The most likely explanation for this behavioral difference between populations is that
A)the behavioral difference is caused by genetic differences between populations.
B)members of different populations have different nutritional requirements.
C)the cultural tradition of using stones to crack nuts has arisen in only some populations.
D)members of different populations differ in learning ability.
E)members of different populations differ in manual dexterity.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that only some populations of chimpanzees use stones to crack open oil palm nuts suggests that this behavior is a cultural tradition that has arisen in those populations, rather than being genetically determined. This is supported by observations of chimpanzees learning tool use from other individuals within their social group, indicating that the behavior is transmitted through social learning rather than genetic inheritance. Thus, the most likely explanation for the behavioral difference between populations is that it is the result of cultural variation rather than genetic or physiological differences.

Although Many Chimpanzee Populations Live in Environments Containing Oil Palm