WT, In response to your question "in which species other than humans, does EXCLUSIVE homosexuality, especially in the form of pair bonds, occur?":
The zebra finch (*Taeniopygia guttata) *is known to form strong same-sex pair-bonds, and a study from 2011 showed that their bonds are as strong as the species' male-female bonds. To quote the abstract: "Male–male and female–female same-sex bonds display the same behavioral > characteristics as male–female ones: they are intense, highly selective, > and stable affinitive relationships involving the same behavioral displays > already described in wild birds. Moreover, same-sex male bonds were > sufficiently strong not to split up when individuals were given the > opportunity to reproduce with females. Because the pair-bond in socially > monogamous species represents a partnership that may give advantages for > survival (e.g., resources defense, fighting against predators, etc.), we > propose that same-sex pairing in the zebra finch may result from the > pressure to find a social partner." - Elie, J., Mathevon, N. & Vignal, C. Same-sex pair-bonds are equivalent to male–female bonds in a life-long socially monogamous songbird.*Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology* *65*, 2197-2208 (2011). URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00265-011-1228-9. The article itself includes references and examples of other animals who form same-sex pair bonds, so I imagine there are many more solid examples of this out there to be found. Lauren On Thu, Mar 28, 2013 at 2:32 AM, Wayne Tyson <[email protected]> wrote: > [NOTE:] I will be on expedition (with a stop at the National Native Seed > Conference in Santa Fe NM on April 10) until the two weeks at the end of > April and the first week of May, then gone again beginning the 2nd week of > May until around May 24. I will not be checking email during those periods, > but will respond to as many email messages as possible during those > hiatuses. A third expedition following those is likely, but the period of > hiatus is iffy.] > > Here is my parting question. Please feel free to post it on other lists. > > Re: Homosexuality in animals other than Homo sapiens. We know that > homosexual behavior occurs in other species in some forms (Bonobo > chimpanzees [Pan paniscus], for example), and we know that hermaphrodites > of some species fertilize each other simultaneously. But my question is in > which species other than humans, does EXCLUSIVE homosexuality, especially > in the form of pair bonds, occur? > > WT > > I'll pick up my answers in late April. If I have time, I may be able to > respond to some today. Please respond on-list, and not to me personally. >
