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Xie B, Daunay V, Petersen TC, Briefer EF. Vocal repertoire and individuality in the plains zebra ( Equus quagga). ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:240477. [PMID: 39076369 PMCID: PMC11286140 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.240477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Acoustic signals are vital in animal communication, and quantifying them is fundamental for understanding animal behaviour and ecology. Vocalizations can be classified into acoustically and functionally or contextually distinct categories, but establishing these categories can be challenging. Newly developed methods, such as machine learning, can provide solutions for classification tasks. The plains zebra is known for its loud and specific vocalizations, yet limited knowledge exists on the structure and information content of its vocalzations. In this study, we employed both feature-based and spectrogram-based algorithms, incorporating supervised and unsupervised machine learning methods to enhance robustness in categorizing zebra vocalization types. Additionally, we implemented a permuted discriminant function analysis to examine the individual identity information contained in the identified vocalization types. The findings revealed at least four distinct vocalization types-the 'snort', the 'soft snort', the 'squeal' and the 'quagga quagga'-with individual differences observed mostly in snorts, and to a lesser extent in squeals. Analyses based on acoustic features outperformed those based on spectrograms, but each excelled in characterizing different vocalization types. We thus recommend the combined use of these two approaches. This study offers valuable insights into plains zebra vocalization, with implications for future comprehensive explorations in animal communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Xie
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Section for Ecology and Evolution, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Research and Conservation, Copenhagen Zoo, Roskildevej 38, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Virgile Daunay
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Section for Ecology and Evolution, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Laboratoire Dynamique du Langage, CNRS, University Lumière Lyon 2, Lyon, France
- ENES Bioacoustics Research Lab, CRNL, CNRS, Inserm, University of Saint-Etienne, 42100 Saint-Etienne, France
| | | | - Elodie F. Briefer
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Section for Ecology and Evolution, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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2
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Batist CH, Razafindraibe MN, Randriamanantena F, Baden AL. Bioacoustic characterization of the black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) vocal repertoire. Primates 2023; 64:621-635. [PMID: 37584832 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-023-01083-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Ruffed lemurs (Varecia spp.) exhibit a unique suite of behavioral traits compared to other lemur species, which includes their fluid fission-fusion social dynamics, communal rearing of parked litters, and pronounced frugivory in their humid rainforest habitats. Given these traits, and the dense rainforests they inhabit, vocal communication may be key to maintaining social cohesion, coordinating infant care, and/or defending their high-quality food resources. Indeed, they are known for their raucous 'roar-shriek' calls. However, there has been surprisingly little research on vocal communication in Varecia species and only two previously published repertoires, both of which were qualitative descriptions of their calls. In this study, we quantitatively examined the vocal repertoire of wild black-and-white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata) at Mangevo, Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar. We characterized 11 call types using 33 bioacoustic parameters related to frequency, duration, tonality, and composition. We also used discriminant function analysis and hierarchical clustering to quantitatively and objectively classify call types within the black-and-white ruffed lemur vocal repertoire. The repertoire consists of both monosyllabic and multisyllabic calls that are individually given or emitted in contagious choruses. Eight of the 11 calls were also used in combination or in larger multi-call sequences. The discriminant function analysis correctly assigned call types with 87% success, though this varied greatly by call type (1-65%). Hierarchical clustering identified 3-4 robust clusters, indicating low clustering structure in the data and suggesting that V. variegata exhibits a graded vocal repertoire. Future work should consider the environmental and behavioral contexts in which calls are used to better understand the function of these call types and combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Batist
- Department of Anthropology, The CUNY Graduate Center, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 5th Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY, USA.
- Rainforest Connection (RFCx), Katy, TX, USA.
| | - M N Razafindraibe
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- Institut International de Science Sociale, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | - A L Baden
- Department of Anthropology, The CUNY Graduate Center, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 5th Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Anthropology, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
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3
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Alencar RN, Nogueira-Filho SLG, Nogueira SSC. Production of multimodal signals to assert social dominance in white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280728. [PMID: 36827284 PMCID: PMC9955631 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study we aimed to examine whether the 'redundancy' (a backup function to ensure the signal transmission) or 'multiple messages' (sensory communication system in combination) hypothesis would explain the function of multimodal communication of white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari-WLPs). We also aimed to assess the individual factors (the social rank and sex of the sender) influencing the production of, and responses to unimodal and multimodal signals. We determined the social rank of 21 WLPs living in two captive groups and quantified the production of unimodal and multimodal signals when displaying threatening and submissive behaviors. WLPs most often produce multimodal signals independent of a previous unimodal signal failure, which suggests that they were adding more information, such as the sender's size, rather than merely increasing efficacy by engaging a different receiver's sensory channel. There was no effect of the sender's sex in the production of, and responses to, multimodal signals. However, the higher the sender's social rank, the greater the production of multimodal signals when WLPs were displaying threatening behaviors; whereas the lower the sender's social rank, the greater the production of multimodal signals when displaying submission behaviors. Multimodal signals elicited more non-aggressive responses than did the unimodal signals when displaying a threat. Moreover, the higher the sender's social rank, the greater the occurrence of non-aggressive responses to multimodal signals when displaying a threat; whereas the opposite occurred when displaying submission. Our findings support the 'multiple messages' hypothesis to explain the function of multimodal signaling during agonistic interactions in WLPs. Additionally, both the production of, and responses to, multimodal signals are related to the sender's social rank. These results allow us to suggest that the production of multimodal signals may have a key role in mitigating conflict and thus promoting group cohesion among white-lipped peccaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raimundo N. Alencar
- Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada, Universidade Estadual Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - Selene S. C. Nogueira
- Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada, Universidade Estadual Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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4
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Comella I, Tasirin JS, Klinck H, Johnson LM, Clink DJ. Investigating note repertoires and acoustic tradeoffs in the duet contributions of a basal haplorrhine primate. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.910121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acoustic communication serves a crucial role in the social interactions of vocal animals. Duetting—the coordinated singing among pairs of animals—has evolved independently multiple times across diverse taxonomic groups including insects, frogs, birds, and mammals. A crucial first step for understanding how information is encoded and transferred in duets is through quantifying the acoustic repertoire, which can reveal differences and similarities on multiple levels of analysis and provides the groundwork necessary for further studies of the vocal communication patterns of the focal species. Investigating acoustic tradeoffs, such as the tradeoff between the rate of syllable repetition and note bandwidth, can also provide important insights into the evolution of duets, as these tradeoffs may represent the physical and mechanical limits on signal design. In addition, identifying which sex initiates the duet can provide insights into the function of the duets. We have three main goals in the current study: (1) provide a descriptive, fine-scale analysis of Gursky’s spectral tarsier (Tarsius spectrumgurskyae) duets; (2) use unsupervised approaches to investigate sex-specific note repertoires; and (3) test for evidence of acoustic tradeoffs in the rate of note repetition and bandwidth of tarsier duet contributions. We found that both sexes were equally likely to initiate the duets and that pairs differed substantially in the duration of their duets. Our unsupervised clustering analyses indicate that both sexes have highly graded note repertoires. We also found evidence for acoustic tradeoffs in both male and female duet contributions, but the relationship in females was much more pronounced. The prevalence of this tradeoff across diverse taxonomic groups including birds, bats, and primates indicates the constraints that limit the production of rapidly repeating broadband notes may be one of the few ‘universals’ in vocal communication. Future carefully designed playback studies that investigate the behavioral response, and therefore potential information transmitted in duets to conspecifics, will be highly informative.
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Hernández-Pinsón HA, Chaves-Ramírez S, Chaverri G. Seasonality in the Emission of Contact Calls in Spix's Disc-Winged Bats (Thyroptera tricolor) Suggests a Potential Role in Mate Attraction. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2022. [DOI: 10.3161/15081109acc2021.23.2.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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6
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Duchesneau A, Edelberg DG, Perry SE. Are demographic correlates of white-faced capuchin monkey (Cebus capucinus) "Gargle and Twargle" vocalization rates consistent with the infanticide risk assessment hypothesis? Am J Primatol 2021; 84:e23344. [PMID: 34762319 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Zahavi's "Bond Testing Hypothesis" states that irritating stimuli are used to elicit honest information from social partners regarding their attitudes towards the relationship. Two elements of the Cebus capucinus vocal repertoire, the "gargle" and "twargle," have been hypothesized to serve such a bond-testing function. The greatest threat to C. capucinus infant survival, and to adult female reproductive success, is infanticide perpetrated by alpha males. Thus, we predicted that infants (<8 months), pregnant females and females with infants would gargle/twargle at higher rates than the rest of the population, directing these vocalizations primarily to the alpha male. Over 16 years, researchers collected data via focal follows in 11 habituated groups of wild capuchins in Lomas Barbudal, Costa Rica. We found some support for our hypothesis. Infants and females with infants (<8 months) vocalized at higher rates than the rest of the population. Pregnant females did not vocalize at relatively high rates. Infants (age 8-23 months) were the only target group that vocalized more when the alpha male was not their father. Monkeys gargled and twargled most frequently towards the alpha male, who is both the perpetrator of infanticide and the most effective protector against potentially infanticidal males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Duchesneau
- Department of Anthropology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Susan E Perry
- Department of Anthropology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Social Sciences Division, Behavior, Evolution, and Culture Program, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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7
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Suscke P, Presotto A, Izar P. The role of hunting on Sapajus xanthosternos' landscape of fear in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil. Am J Primatol 2021; 83:e23243. [PMID: 33755228 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Habitats with spatial variation in food availability, predation risk, and hunting pressure allow us to study how animals resolve the trade-off between food searching and predator avoidance. We investigated the influence of food availability, predation risk, and the perceived predation risk on habitat use by a primate living under high hunting pressure, the yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys, Sapajus xanthosternos, at Una Biological Reserve (ReBio Una). We hypothesized that the hunting pressure occurring in the capuchins' home range would favor predator avoidance to the detriment of searching for food. We characterized a set of covariates related to resource availability (fruit and invertebrate biomasses, feeding on dispersed and clumped food items, sleeping sites), perceived predation risk (alarm calls given to terrestrial and aerial predators, silent group movement, and vigilance behavior), and actual predation risk (evidence of hunting) and estimated their effects on how one group of capuchin monkeys uses its habitat. The group divides its time among three major forest types within their home range: agroforest, mature, and secondary. Our results suggest that the actual and perceived risk of hunting by humans, as well as the perceived predation risk by both terrestrial and aerial predators, were significant determinants of capuchin monkeys' space use. Yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys' space use was negatively related to the risk of hunting by humans (actual evidence and silent behavior), the perceived risk of predation by both aerial and terrestrial predators, and the presence of sleeping sites. Capuchin monkeys' use of space was not related to the biomass of fruits in the habitat, and the biomass of invertebrates had a very low positive effect. We confirmed our prediction that in a habitat with high hunting pressure, the risk of predation, both perceived and actual, had a more significant impact on how yellow-breasted capuchins used space than did food availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Suscke
- Institute of Psychology, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andrea Presotto
- Department of Geography and Geosciences, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland, USA
| | - Patrícia Izar
- Institute of Psychology, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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8
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Cusano DA, Indeck KL, Noad MJ, Dunlop RA. Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) social call production reflects both motivational state and arousal. BIOACOUSTICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2020.1858450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dana A. Cusano
- Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia
| | - Katherine L. Indeck
- Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia
| | - Michael J. Noad
- Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia
| | - Rebecca A. Dunlop
- Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia
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9
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Nishikawa M, Ferrero N, Cheves S, Lopez R, Kawamura S, Fedigan LM, Melin AD, Jack KM. Infant cannibalism in wild white-faced capuchin monkeys. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:12679-12684. [PMID: 33304485 PMCID: PMC7713969 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannibalism has been observed in a variety of animal taxa; however, it is relatively uncommon in primates. Thus, we rely heavily on case reports of this behavior to advance our understanding of the contexts under which it occurs. Here, we report the first observation of cannibalism in a group of wild white-faced capuchin monkeys (Cebus imitator). The subject was a dead infant, estimated to be 10 days old, and the probable victim of infanticide. Consumption of the corpse was initiated by a 2-year-old male (second cousin of the infant), though it was eventually taken over and monopolized by the group's alpha female (grandaunt of the infant). Although most group members expressed interest in the corpse (sniffing, touching, and threatening it), no others made an attempt to consume it. Given that this is the only observation of cannibalism recorded in over 37 years of study on this population, we consider it to be a rare behavior in this species. This detailed record contributes new data, which, when combined with other reports within and across species and contexts, enables the evaluation of adaptive explanations of cannibalism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Nishikawa
- Department of Integrated BiosciencesGraduate School of Frontier SciencesThe University of TokyoKashiwaChibaJapan
| | | | - Saul Cheves
- Área de Conservación GuanacasteGuanacasteCosta Rica
| | - Ronald Lopez
- Área de Conservación GuanacasteGuanacasteCosta Rica
| | - Shoji Kawamura
- Department of Integrated BiosciencesGraduate School of Frontier SciencesThe University of TokyoKashiwaChibaJapan
| | - Linda M. Fedigan
- Department of Anthropology & ArchaeologyUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryABCanada
| | - Amanda D. Melin
- Department of Anthropology & ArchaeologyUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryABCanada
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10
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Davis K, Clarke JA. A Tasmanian devil call encodes identity and decreases agonistic behaviour. BIOACOUSTICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2019.1643407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Davis
- Devil Ark Program, Aussie Ark, Gosford, Australia
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11
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Perry S, Smolla M. Capuchin monkey rituals: an interdisciplinary study of form and function. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190422. [PMID: 32594882 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Many white-faced capuchin monkey dyads in Lomas Barbudal, Costa Rica, practise idiosyncratic interaction sequences that are not part of the species-typical behavioural repertoire. These interactions often include uncomfortable or risky elements. These interactions exhibit the following characteristics commonly featured in definitions of rituals in humans: (i) they involve an unusual intensity of focus on the partner, (ii) the behaviours have no immediate utilitarian purpose, (iii) they sometimes involve 'sacred objects', (iv) the distribution of these behaviours suggests that they are invented and spread via social learning, and (v) many behaviours in these rituals are repurposed from other behavioural domains (e.g. extractive foraging). However, in contrast with some definitions of ritual, capuchin rituals are not overly rigid in their form, nor do the sequences have specific opening and closing actions. In our 9260 h of observation, ritual performance rate was uncorrelated with amount of time dyads spent in proximity but (modestly) associated with higher relationship quality and rate of coalition formation across dyads. Our results suggest that capuchin rituals serve a bond-testing rather than a bond-strengthening function. Ritual interactions are exclusively dyadic, and between-dyad consistency in form is low, casting doubt on the alternative hypothesis that they enhance group-wide solidarity. This article is part of the theme issue 'Ritual renaissance: new insights into the most human of behaviours'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Perry
- Department of Anthropology, University of California-Los Angeles, 341 Haines Hall, 375 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1553, USA
| | - Marco Smolla
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 433 South University Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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12
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Poirier-Poulin S, Teichroeb JA. The vocal repertoire of an African colobine, Colobus angolensis ruwenzorii: a multi-level society compared to congeners in stable groups. BEHAVIOUR 2020. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-bja10015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Vocal behaviour offers a window into understanding the social life and evolution of animals. Colobine monkeys show great interspecific and interpopulation variation in their social organization and behaviour. Recent research has shown that Rwenzori Angolan colobus (Colobus angolensis ruwenzorii) differ substantially from other black-and-white colobus in forming a multi-level society. No previous research has been conducted on the communication of C. a. ruwenzorii, but the social complexity hypothesis for communication suggests that more complex societies should evolve more complex communication repertoires. Our objective was to catalogue the vocal repertoire of C. a. ruwenzorii at Nabugabo, Uganda, and to compare it with the data available on congeners regarding intergroup tolerance, vocal repertoire size, and acoustic and behavioural features of vocal communication. Vocalizations were subject to spectrographic and behavioural analysis, and a descriptive analysis of each vocalization type was made. The influence of a few environmental and social factors on calling rates was also examined. We describe five vocalizations (i.e., the snort, roar, squeak, scream and pok) and one non-vocal signal (i.e., the tongue click) in this subspecies and their contexts. Distinct alarm calls are made for dogs, and these are given more often near the edge of the forest where humans frequent. We did not find that C. a. ruwenzorii showed a greater vocal repertoire than C. guereza or C. polykomos, which do not live in multi-level societies. Further, preliminary data do not indicate greater calling rates in larger core units of C. a. ruwenzorii compared to smaller units. These findings support the view that these primates’ vocalizations tend to be relatively conserved despite large differences in social organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Poirier-Poulin
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Julie A. Teichroeb
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada
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Muir J, Barnett A, Svensson MS. The Vocal Repertoire of Golden-Faced Sakis, Pithecia chrysocephala, and the Relationship Between Context and Call Structure. INT J PRIMATOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-019-00125-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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14
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O'Bryan LR, Abaid N, Nakayama S, Dey T, King AJ, Cowlishaw G, Rubenstein DI, Garnier S. Contact Calls Facilitate Group Contraction in Free-Ranging Goats (Capra aegagrus hircus). Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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15
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Coss RG, Cavanaugh C, Brennan W. Development of snake-directed antipredator behavior by wild white-faced capuchin monkeys: III. the signaling properties of alarm-call tonality. Am J Primatol 2019; 81:e22950. [PMID: 30664280 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In many primates, the acoustic properties of alarm calls can provide information on the level of perceived predatory threat as well as influence the antipredator behavior of nearby conspecifics. The present study examined the harmonics-to-noise ratio (tonality of spectral structure) of alarm calls emitted by white-faced capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus) in trees directed at photographic models of a boa constrictor, neotropical rattlesnake, scorpion eater snake, and white snake-shaped control presented on the ground. The average and peak harmonics-to-noise ratios of initial alarm calls by infants, juveniles, and adults and those of nearby second callers were analyzed using PRAAT software. Averaged for age class, the peak harmonics-to-noise ratio of alarm calls directed at the boa constrictor model, characterizing a primary capuchin predator, was reliably higher than the peak harmonics-to-noise ratio of alarm calls directed at the harmless scorpion eater model. This effect was influenced by the higher harmonics-to-noise ratio of infant alarm calls and it disconfirmed our prediction, based on primate vocalization research, that snake perception would increase arousal and alarm-call noisiness. Levels of call tonality did not distinguish the boa and rattlesnake or rattlesnake and scorpion eater models for any age class. Higher alarm-call tonality appeared contagious to nearby perceivers, with focal alarm calling influencing the level of tonality of the first calls of second callers. Together, these findings suggest that the higher peak harmonics-to-noise ratio of capuchin alarm calling directed at snakes is contagious and possibly conveys information about the level of perceived predatory threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard G Coss
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, California.,Graduate Group in Animal Behavior, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Cailey Cavanaugh
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Whitney Brennan
- Graduate Group in Animal Behavior, University of California, Davis, California
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Bastos M, Medeiros K, Jones G, Bezerra B. Small but wise: Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) use acoustic signals as cues to avoid interactions with blonde capuchin monkeys (Sapajus flavius). Am J Primatol 2018; 80:e22744. [PMID: 29488642 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2017] [Revised: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Vocalizations are often used by animals to communicate and mediate social interactions. Animals may benefit from eavesdropping on calls from other species to avoid predation and thus increase their chances of survival. Here we use both observational and experimental evidence to investigate eavesdropping and how acoustic signals may mediate interactions between two sympatric and endemic primate species (common marmosets and blonde capuchin monkeys) in a fragment of Atlantic Rainforest in Northeastern Brazil. We observed 22 natural vocal encounters between the study species, but no evident visual or physical contact over the study period. These two species seem to use the same area throughout the day, but at different times. We broadcasted alarm and long distance calls to and from both species as well as two control stimuli (i.e., forest background noise and a loud call from an Amazonian primate) in our playback experiments. Common marmosets showed anti-predator behavior (i.e., vigilance and flight) when exposed to blonde capuchin calls both naturally and experimentally. However, blonde capuchin monkeys showed no anti-predator behavior in response to common marmoset calls. Blonde capuchins uttered long distance calls and looked in the direction of the speaker following exposure to their own long distance call, whereas they fled when exposed to their own alarm calls. Both blonde capuchin monkeys and common marmosets showed fear behaviors in response to the loud call from a primate species unknown to them, and showed no apparent response to the forest background noise. Common marmoset responses to blonde capuchin calls suggests that the latter is a potential predator. Furthermore, common marmosets appear to be eavesdropping on calls from blonde capuchin monkeys to avoid potentially costly encounters with them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Bastos
- Departamento de Zoologia, Centro de Biociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - Karolina Medeiros
- Departamento de Zoologia, Centro de Biociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - Gareth Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Bruna Bezerra
- Departamento de Zoologia, Centro de Biociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
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Kalbitz J, Schülke O, Ostner J. Triadic male-infant-male interaction serves in bond maintenance in male Assamese macaques. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0183981. [PMID: 29045402 PMCID: PMC5646793 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
While the ultimate consequences of social bonds start to be better understood, the proximate behavioural mechanisms underlying the formation and maintenance of these close affiliative relationships have received less attention. We investigated the possible function of male-infant-male interactions (MIMIs) in male-male social bonding processes by analysing about 9000h of focal animal observations collected on two groups of wild Assamese macaques. In support of an agonistic buffering function of MIMIs, after engaging in a MIMI upon approach, subordinates stayed longer in close proximity of a dominant male. Overall, the frequency of MIMIs increased the stronger the affiliative relationship between two males, suggesting that MIMIs like grooming function in relationship maintenance. We did not find support for a role of MIMIs in bond formation as the frequency of MIMIs did not affect the time a male dyad spent in proximity in the consecutive year. Our results contribute to the general debate on behaviours influencing social dynamics in group living mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josefine Kalbitz
- Department of Behavioral Ecology, Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach Institute for Zoology and Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- German Primate Centre, Leibniz Institute of Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Cognitive Ethology, German Primate Centre, Leibniz Institute of Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Schülke
- Department of Behavioral Ecology, Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach Institute for Zoology and Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- German Primate Centre, Leibniz Institute of Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Julia Ostner
- Department of Behavioral Ecology, Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach Institute for Zoology and Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- German Primate Centre, Leibniz Institute of Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
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18
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Dunlop RA. Potential motivational information encoded within humpback whale non-song vocal sounds. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2017; 141:2204. [PMID: 28372096 DOI: 10.1121/1.4978615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Acoustic signals in terrestrial animals follow motivational-structural rules to inform receivers of the signaler's motivational state, valence and level of arousal. Low-frequency "harsh" signals are produced in aggressive contexts, whereas high-frequency tonal sounds are produced in fearful/appeasement contexts. Using the non-song social call catalogue of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), this study tested for potential motivational-structural rules within the call catalogue of a baleen whale species. A total of 32 groups within different social contexts (ranging from stable, low arousal groups, such as a female with her calf, to affiliating, higher arousal, groups containing multiple males competing for access to the central female) were visually and acoustically tracked as they migrated southwards along the eastern coast of Australia. Social calls separated into four main cluster types, with signal structures in two categories consistent with "aggressive" signals and, "fearful/appeasement" signals in terrestrial animals. The group's use of signals within these clusters matched their context in that presumed low arousal non-affiliating groups almost exclusively used "low-arousal" signals (a cluster of low frequency unmodulated or upsweep sounds). Affiliating groups used a higher proportion of an intermediate cluster of signal types deemed "higher arousal" signals and groups containing three or more adults used a higher proportion of "aggressive" signal types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Dunlop
- Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Queensland, QLD 4343, Australia
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19
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Predatory threat of harpy eagles for yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys in the Atlantic Forest. Primates 2016; 58:141-147. [PMID: 27485747 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-016-0557-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
We describe seven encounters between different harpy eagle individuals (Harpia harpyja) and a group of yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys (Sapajus xanthosternos) in Una Biological Reserve. These interactions lasted 58 min on average. In each of those encounters, the capuchin monkeys used particular behavioral strategies against the harpy eagle that were not employed in reaction to other aerial predators. We did not observe any successful predation events, but after one of those encounters an infant disappeared from the capuchin group. As a whole, these observations indicate that the presence of harpy eagles in the group's home range increases predation risk for capuchin monkeys. The present report also suggests a reoccupation by H. harpyja of this area, as no previous recent records identify harpy eagle occurrence in Una Biological Reserve.
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Sargeant EJ, Wikberg EC, Kawamura S, Jack KM, Fedigan LM. Paternal kin recognition and infant care in white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus). Am J Primatol 2016; 78:659-68. [PMID: 26815856 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Revised: 12/24/2015] [Accepted: 01/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Evidence for paternal kin recognition and paternally biased behaviors is mixed among primates. We investigate whether infant handling behaviors exhibit paternal kin biases in wild white-faced capuchins monkeys (Cebus capucinus) by comparing interactions between infants and genetic sires, potential sires, siblings (full sibling, maternal, and paternal half-siblings) and unrelated handlers. We used a linear mixed model approach to analyze data collected on 21 focal infants from six groups in Sector Santa Rosa, Costa Rica. Our analyses suggest that the best predictor of adult and subadult male interactions with an infant is the male's dominance status, not his paternity status. We found that maternal siblings but not paternal siblings handled infants more than did unrelated individuals. We conclude that maternal but not paternal kinship influence patterns of infant handling in white-faced capuchins, regardless of whether or not they can recognize paternal kin. Am. J. Primatol. 78:659-668, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J Sargeant
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Eva C Wikberg
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Shoji Kawamura
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
| | - Katharine M Jack
- Department of Anthropology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Linda M Fedigan
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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21
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Comparative Analysis of the Vocal Repertoire of Eulemur: A Dynamic Time Warping Approach. INT J PRIMATOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-015-9861-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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22
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Gustison ML, Townsend SW. A survey of the context and structure of high- and low-amplitude calls in mammals. Anim Behav 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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23
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Wadewitz P, Hammerschmidt K, Battaglia D, Witt A, Wolf F, Fischer J. Characterizing Vocal Repertoires--Hard vs. Soft Classification Approaches. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125785. [PMID: 25915039 PMCID: PMC4411004 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To understand the proximate and ultimate causes that shape acoustic communication in animals, objective characterizations of the vocal repertoire of a given species are critical, as they provide the foundation for comparative analyses among individuals, populations and taxa. Progress in this field has been hampered by a lack of standard in methodology, however. One problem is that researchers may settle on different variables to characterize the calls, which may impact on the classification of calls. More important, there is no agreement how to best characterize the overall structure of the repertoire in terms of the amount of gradation within and between call types. Here, we address these challenges by examining 912 calls recorded from wild chacma baboons (Papio ursinus). We extracted 118 acoustic variables from spectrograms, from which we constructed different sets of acoustic features, containing 9, 38, and 118 variables; as well 19 factors derived from principal component analysis. We compared and validated the resulting classifications of k-means and hierarchical clustering. Datasets with a higher number of acoustic features lead to better clustering results than datasets with only a few features. The use of factors in the cluster analysis resulted in an extremely poor resolution of emerging call types. Another important finding is that none of the applied clustering methods gave strong support to a specific cluster solution. Instead, the cluster analysis revealed that within distinct call types, subtypes may exist. Because hard clustering methods are not well suited to capture such gradation within call types, we applied a fuzzy clustering algorithm. We found that this algorithm provides a detailed and quantitative description of the gradation within and between chacma baboon call types. In conclusion, we suggest that fuzzy clustering should be used in future studies to analyze the graded structure of vocal repertoires. Moreover, the use of factor analyses to reduce the number of acoustic variables should be discouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Wadewitz
- Cognitive Ethology Laboratory, German Primate Center, Göttingen, Germany
- Theoretical Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kurt Hammerschmidt
- Cognitive Ethology Laboratory, German Primate Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Demian Battaglia
- Theoretical Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Göttingen, Germany
- Theoretical Neurosciences Group, Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Marseille, France
| | - Annette Witt
- Theoretical Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Fred Wolf
- Theoretical Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Julia Fischer
- Cognitive Ethology Laboratory, German Primate Center, Göttingen, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Göttingen, Germany
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Bastos M, Souto A, Jones G, Eason P, Bione C, Schiel N, Bezerra B. Vocal repertoire of wild blonde capuchins (Sapajus flavius) and contextual use of calls. Am J Primatol 2015; 77:605-17. [DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Monique Bastos
- Department of Zoology; Federal University of Pernambuco; Recife Pernambuco Brazil
| | - Antonio Souto
- Department of Zoology; Federal University of Pernambuco; Recife Pernambuco Brazil
| | - Gareth Jones
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Bristol; Bristol United Kingdom
| | - Perri Eason
- Department of Biology; University of Louisville; Louisville Kentucky USA
| | - Camila Bione
- Department of Zoology; Federal University of Pernambuco; Recife Pernambuco Brazil
| | - Nicola Schiel
- Department of Biology; Federal Rural University of Pernambuco; Recife Pernambuco Brazil
| | - Bruna Bezerra
- Department of Zoology; Federal University of Pernambuco; Recife Pernambuco Brazil
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Bristol; Bristol United Kingdom
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25
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Falótico T, Ottoni EB. Stone throwing as a sexual display in wild female bearded capuchin monkeys, Sapajus libidinosus. PLoS One 2013; 8:e79535. [PMID: 24278147 PMCID: PMC3836890 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2013] [Accepted: 10/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.) in captive settings frequently manipulate and throw objects. In the wild, they may push or drop stones and sticks toward targets during inter- or intraspecific threat displays. In addition, female capuchin monkeys exhibit a broad repertoire of behaviors during their proceptive period, including facial expressions, vocalizations, stereotyped body postures, and touch-and-run behavior. This study reports stone throwing as a newly-described communicative behavior during the proceptive display of females in a group of bearded capuchin monkeys (S. libidinosus) in Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil. During a two-year study, three females from one group were seen throwing stones at males during their proceptive phase. After this period, three other females in the same group exhibited the same behavior. Although it may be possible that this pattern is the result of several independent innovations by each female, the apparent absence of this behavior in other groups leads us to suggest that we have documented the diffusion of a new behavioral trait or tradition within this capuchin social group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Falótico
- Institute of Psychology—University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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26
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Markolf M, Rakotonirina H, Fichtel C, von Grumbkow P, Brameier M, Kappeler PM. True lemurs…true species - species delimitation using multiple data sources in the brown lemur complex. BMC Evol Biol 2013; 13:233. [PMID: 24159931 PMCID: PMC3819746 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-13-233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Species are the fundamental units in evolutionary biology. However, defining them as evolutionary independent lineages requires integration of several independent sources of information in order to develop robust hypotheses for taxonomic classification. Here, we exemplarily propose an integrative framework for species delimitation in the “brown lemur complex” (BLC) of Madagascar, which consists of seven allopatric populations of the genus Eulemur (Primates: Lemuridae), which were sampled extensively across northern, eastern and western Madagascar to collect fecal samples for DNA extraction as well as recordings of vocalizations. Our data base was extended by including museum specimens with reliable identification and locality information for skull shape and pelage color analysis. Results Between-group analyses of principal components revealed significant heterogeneity in skull shape, pelage color variation and loud calls across all seven populations. Furthermore, post-hoc statistical tests between pairs of populations revealed considerable discordance among different data sets for different dyads. Despite a high degree of incomplete lineage sorting among nuclear loci, significant exclusive ancestry was found for all populations, except for E. cinereiceps, based on one mitochondrial and three nuclear genetic loci. Conclusions Using several independent lines of evidence, our results confirm the species status of the members of the BLC under the general lineage concept of species. More generally, the present analyses demonstrate the importance and value of integrating different kinds of data in delimiting recently evolved radiations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Markolf
- Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, German Primate Center, Göttingen, Germany.
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27
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Fuller JL. The vocal repertoire of adult male blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis stulmanni): a quantitative analysis of acoustic structure. Am J Primatol 2013; 76:203-16. [PMID: 24130044 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Revised: 09/07/2013] [Accepted: 09/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Vocal signals are key elements in understanding species' behavior, sociality, and evolution. Quantified repertoires serve as foundations for investigating usage and function of particular signals, and also provide a basis for comparative analyses among individuals, populations, and taxa to explore how entire signal systems evolve. This study presents a descriptive catalogue of all vocal signals used by adult male blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis stuhlmanni). During 12 months in the Kakamega Forest, Kenya, I observed and digitally recorded vocal behavior of 32 adult males across a variety of socioecological contexts. From recordings, I measured 18 temporal-frequency parameters. Undirected ordination and hierarchical cluster analysis identified six distinct call types regularly used by males: ant, boom, ka, katrain, nasal scream, and pyow. Cross-validated discriminant function analysis supported the classifications. The repertoire is best described as discrete, though some gradation occurs between pyows and ants. Summary of acoustic structure and exemplar spectrograms are provided for each call type, along with preliminary examination of socioecological contexts in which they were produced. Discussion addresses repertoire structure, similarity to other taxa, and potential for functional inferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Lewis Fuller
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York; New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology (NYCEP)
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28
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Tallet C, Linhart P, Policht R, Hammerschmidt K, Šimeček P, Kratinova P, Špinka M. Encoding of situations in the vocal repertoire of piglets (Sus scrofa): a comparison of discrete and graded classifications. PLoS One 2013; 8:e71841. [PMID: 23967251 PMCID: PMC3742501 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2013] [Accepted: 07/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Two important questions in bioacoustics are whether vocal repertoires of animals are graded or discrete and how the vocal expressions are linked to the context of emission. Here we address these questions in an ungulate species. The vocal repertoire of young domestic pigs, Sus scrofa, was quantitatively described based on 1513 calls recorded in 11 situations. We described the acoustic quality of calls with 8 acoustic parameters. Based on these parameters, the k-means clustering method showed a possibility to distinguish either two or five clusters although the call types are rather blurred than strictly discrete. The division of the vocal repertoire of piglets into two call types has previously been used in many experimental studies into pig acoustic communication and the five call types correspond well to previously published partial repertoires in specific situations. Clear links exist between the type of situation, its putative valence, and the vocal expression in that situation. These links can be described adequately both with a set of quantitative acoustic variables and through categorisation into call types. The information about the situation of emission of the calls is encoded through five call types almost as accurately as through the full quantitative description.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Tallet
- Institute of Animal Science, Ethology Department, Prague, Czechia.
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29
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Affiliation(s)
- E. F. Briefer
- Biological and Experimental Psychology Group, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences; Queen Mary University of London; London; UK
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30
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Risky Business? Lethal Attack by a Jaguar Sheds Light on the Costs of Predator Mobbing for Capuchins (Cebus capucinus). INT J PRIMATOL 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-012-9588-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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31
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Meunier H, Molina-Vila P, Perry S. Participation in group defence: proximate factors affecting male behaviour in wild white-faced capuchins. Anim Behav 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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32
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ALFARO JESSICAWLYNCH, SILVA JOSÉDESOUSAE, RYLANDS ANTHONYB. How Different Are Robust and Gracile Capuchin Monkeys? An Argument for the Use of Sapajus and Cebus. Am J Primatol 2012; 74:273-86. [DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2011] [Revised: 12/02/2011] [Accepted: 12/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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33
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34
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Hetrick SA, Sieving KE. Antipredator calls of tufted titmice and interspecific transfer of encoded threat information. Behav Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arr160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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35
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Crofoot MC, Rubenstein DI, Maiya AS, Berger-Wolf TY. Aggression, grooming and group-level cooperation in white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus): insights from social networks. Am J Primatol 2011; 73:821-33. [PMID: 21590698 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.20959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2010] [Revised: 03/26/2011] [Accepted: 03/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The form of animal social systems depends on the nature of agonistic and affiliative interactions. Social network theory provides tools for characterizing social structure that go beyond simple dyadic interactions and consider the group as a whole. We show three groups of capuchin monkeys from Barro Colorado Island, Panama, where there are strong connections between key aspects of aggression, grooming, and proximity networks, and, at least among females, those who incur risk to defend their group have particular "social personalities." Although there is no significant correlation for any of the network measures between giving and receiving aggression, suggesting that dominance relationships do not follow a simple hierarchy, strong correlations emerge for many measures between the aggression and grooming networks. At the local, but not global, scale, receiving aggression and giving grooming are strongly linked in all groups. Proximity shows no correlation with aggression at either the local or the global scale, suggesting that individuals neither seek out nor avoid aggressors. Yet, grooming has a global but not local connection to proximity. Extensive groomers who tend to direct their efforts at other extensive groomers also spend time in close proximity to many other individuals. These results indicate the important role that prosociality plays in shaping female social relationships. We also show that females who receive the least aggression, and thus pay low costs for group living, are most likely to participate in group defense. No consistent "social personality" traits characterize the males who invest in group defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret C Crofoot
- Division of Migration and Immuno-ecology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Radolfzell, Germany
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36
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Vocal Repertoire of Golden-backed Uakaris (Cacajao melanocephalus): Call Structure and Context. INT J PRIMATOL 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-010-9427-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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37
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Pozzi L, Gamba M, Giacoma C. The use of Artificial Neural Networks to classify primate vocalizations: A pilot study on black lemurs. Am J Primatol 2010; 72:337-48. [PMID: 20034021 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.20786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The identification of the vocal repertoire of a species represents a crucial prerequisite for a correct interpretation of animal behavior. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) have been widely used in behavioral sciences, and today are considered a valuable classification tool for reducing the level of subjectivity and allowing replicable results across different studies. However, to date, no studies have applied this tool to nonhuman primate vocalizations. Here, we apply for the first time ANNs, to discriminate the vocal repertoire in a primate species, Eulemur macaco macaco. We designed an automatic procedure to extract both spectral and temporal features from signals, and performed a comparative analysis between a supervised Multilayer Perceptron and two statistical approaches commonly used in primatology (Discriminant Function Analysis and Cluster Analysis), in order to explore pros and cons of these methods in bioacoustic classification. Our results show that ANNs were able to recognize all seven vocal categories previously described (92.5-95.6%) and perform better than either statistical analysis (76.1-88.4%). The results show that ANNs can provide an effective and robust method for automatic classification also in primates, suggesting that neural models can represent a valuable tool to contribute to a better understanding of primate vocal communication. The use of neural networks to identify primate vocalizations and the further development of this approach in studying primate communication are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Pozzi
- Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e dell'Uomo, Università di Torino, Italy.
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38
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Sharpe DJ, Goldingay RL. Vocal behaviour of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis). AUST J ZOOL 2009. [DOI: 10.1071/zo08075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We describe the vocal behaviour of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) from 465 h of observation across five sites in north-east New South Wales and south-east Queensland. A monosyllabic or polysyllabic nasal grunt was the most frequent call (56% of 208 calls); it ranged from single calls to sequences of up to 20-min duration (mean 2.1 min ± 0.6, s.e.) and was heard on 34% of nights (n = 83) at two sites. The rate of the nasal grunt showed a positive relationship with population density at one site. The nasal grunt was typically made when conspecifics were near the caller, but responses were infrequent (7% of observations). Call playback produced no discernable change in call response. The nasal grunt appears to regulate individual spacing by facilitating mutual avoidance, a function hypothesised to be an evolutionary precursor to the use of calls in territorial defence. Threatening calls were the next most common vocalisation (17% of calls) and were accompanied by scuffles and/or chases. They were also used when gliders were preyed upon and during animal handling. The calling behaviour of the squirrel glider confirms the importance of vocal communication among petaurid gliders.
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