Spider monkeys use some of the same techniques as Tony Soprano in order to reduce conflict, according to research described at the BA Festival of Science in Liverpool on Monday. Colleen Schaffner, professor in behavioural biology at the University of Chester studied the monkeys in the wild in Mexico and at Chester zoo.

She found that male monkeys share ostentatious hugs when they meet, in order to prevent aggression. Professor Schaffner explained that the monkeys frequently split up into small parties in order to make the most of limited resources. “There is the potential for uncertainty and aggression when these groups come together again,” she said.