Mixed Materials
Development and function of complex vocal communication in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
| Title: | Development and function of complex vocal communication in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Universität Leipzig, Bortolato, Tatiana |
| Publisher Information: | 2024-04-08 2024-11-08 2024-11-28 |
| Document Type: | Mixed materials |
| Abstract: | Through a slow developmental process driven by learning and neural maturation, humans can flexibly combine a limited number of sounds into words and then into sequences (i.e., ‘combined utterances’), following syntactical rules. This enables the creation of an infinite number of utterances to convey an unlimited range of information. Whether this capacity is unique to humans or evolved from related species remains uncertain. Comparative research with non-human primates (hereafter: primates) is crucial for understanding this. In contrast to humans, the development of primate repertoires appears to be largely innate and fixed from birth. However, there is some evidence of limited vocal plasticity in certain primate species, with developmental changes linked to acoustic variations and usage learning, likely influenced by social dynamics. A recent study has revealed that adult chimpanzees, one of our closest living relatives, possess an unusual complex vocal repertoire with hundreds of non-random vocal utterances. This lead me question: are these hundreds of vocal utterances innate and present from birth or do they develop through ontogeny? If so, what processes underlie this vocal development, and do they mirror those seen in the development of human language? Therefore, this thesis aims to investigate the ontogeny of vocal sequence acquisition and their potential function in chimpanzees, using a full repertoire approach. To this aim, I conducted 9 months of focal animal sampling on 98 wild chimpanzees (0-55 years old), living in Ivory Coast. I analysed 11,397 vocal utterances from 1,807.3 hours of vocal recordings. First, I found that chimpanzees require about 10 years to reach the adult repertoire, which extends beyond the age when single vocal units emerge. The developmental trajectory of vocal sequence acquisition aligned with key developmental social milestones, supporting social complexity as a driver of vocal complexity. Moreover, neuro-muscular maturation also |
| Index Terms: | Primates, Chimpanzees, Vocal complexity, Development, Social complexity, info:eu-repo/classification/ddc/570, ddc:570, info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersion, doc-type:doctoralThesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis, doc-type:Text |
| URL: | |
| Availability: | Open access content. Open access content info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Note: | English |
| Other Numbers: | SUUSL oai:qucosa:de:qucosa:94625 urn:nbn:de:bsz:15-qucosa2-946252 1514501491 |
| Contributing Source: | STAATS U UNIV From OAIster®, provided by the OCLC Cooperative. |
| Accession Number: | edsoai.on1514501491 |
| Database: | OAIster |
| Description not available. |