Interplay between social fabric and vocal communication in non-human primates

Florence Levero

ENES Bioacoustics Research Laboratory, CRNL, University of Saint-Etienne, Institut Universitaire de France

Email Florence.levrero@univ-st-etienne.fr

Link to seminar: https://umontpellier-fr.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NUHy5Jd4QGqRx1VG69ekLw

The evolution of vocal communication is the result of multiple selection pressures, among which social life plays an important role. Indeed, different types of information must be reliably encoded in vocalizations according to the social needs of the species. In this talk, I will firstly examine the genetic and social influences on the vocal characteristics of two forest primate species (mandrills and bonobos), and compare the strength of the identity signature across their vocal repertoires. Secondly, because the core of communication is not only what can be expressed by an isolated caller, but also how vocal interactions between individuals are structured, I will investigate calling patterns (isolated calls, series of consecutive calls, vocal interactions) in species with different social systems (orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees and bonobos). Distinct vocal behaviours linked to lifestyle have been shown, suggesting the important role of social life in the evolution of vocal communication in our closest relatives.

Watch previous seminars on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrX4IsZ8WIFcDa0ZmC7rcQg