Kissing's Origins Go Back 20M Years - Report - MDSpire

Kissing's Origins Go Back 20M Years

Bayesian phylogenetic modeling suggests kissing emerges deep in primate evolution and persists across multiple ape lineages, including extinct hominins.

  • By

  • Kathryn Wighton

  • February 3, 2026

  • 3 min

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Clinical Report: Kissing's Origins Go Back 20M Years

Overview

A recent study suggests that kissing likely evolved in the common ancestor of large apes between 21.5 and 16.9 million years ago. The research indicates that kissing is a phylogenetically conserved trait among large apes, with evidence suggesting Neanderthals also engaged in this behavior.

Background

Understanding the evolutionary origins of kissing provides insights into social behaviors among primates, including humans. This topic is clinically relevant as it relates to the transmission of infections through saliva during kissing. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of phylogenetic analysis in understanding behavioral traits across species.

Data Highlights

No numerical data or trial data available in the article.

Key Findings

  • Kissing likely evolved in the common ancestor of large apes between 21.5 and 16.9 million years ago.
  • Neanderthals have a high probability of having engaged in kissing, estimated at 0.843.
  • Kissing is defined as non-agonistic, directed oral-to-oral contact without food transfer.
  • The distribution of kissing across species is better explained by shared ancestry than by independent evolution.
  • Multiple independent evolutionary origins of kissing were suggested among Afro-Eurasian monkeys.
  • Insufficient data limited the reliability of kissing estimates outside large apes.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should be aware of the potential for saliva-borne infections during kissing, particularly in contexts involving immunocompromised individuals. Understanding the evolutionary context of kissing may also inform discussions about social behaviors and their implications for health.

Conclusion

The study of kissing's origins sheds light on its evolutionary significance and potential health implications, emphasizing the need for further research in this area.

References

  1. Brindle M., Evolution and Human Behavior, 2023 -- Kissing's Origins Go Back 20M Years
  2. the new gastroenterologist — Kissing poses low gluten transfer risk, study finds
  3. the pathologist — The Surprising Evolutionary History of Syphilis
  4. conexiant — Side Effects: Four Studies Worth Passing On
  5. ADA News — Give Kids A Smile celebrates 20th anniversary
  6. Kissing poses low gluten transfer risk, study finds
  7. The Surprising Evolutionary History of Syphilis
  8. Side Effects: Four Studies Worth Passing On
  9. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in Pregnancy | ACOG
  10. Meningococcal Disease | Infection Control | CDC
  11. A Systematic Review of Kissing as a Risk Factor for Oropharyngeal Gonorrhea or Chlamydia - PMC

Original Source(s)

Kissing's Origins Go Back 20M Years

  • by Kathryn Wighton

  • February 3, 2026

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