Female Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus) copulation calls do not reveal the fertile phase but influence mating outcome.

ABSTRACT: In a number of primate species, females utter loud and distinctive calls during mating. Here we aim to clarify the information content and function of Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus) copulation calls by testing (i) whether or not copulation calls advertise the female fertile phase and (ii) whether and how copulation calls influence male ejaculatory behaviour. In order to do this, we combined hormone measurements with acoustic analysis and behavioural observations. In contrast to a previous study implying that the structure of copulation calls indicates the timing of the fertile phase, our results, using objective endocrine criteria for assessing ovulation, provide evidence that the structure of copulation calls of female Barbary macaques does not reveal the timing of the fertile phase. M

SUBMITTER: Pfefferle D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2596815 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature