Wild chimpanzees' use of single and combined vocal and gestural signals.

ABSTRACT:

Abstract

We describe the individual and combined use of vocalizations and gestures in wild chimpanzees. The rate of gesturing peaked in infancy and, with the exception of the alpha male, decreased again in older age groups, while vocal signals showed the opposite pattern. Although gesture-vocal combinations were relatively rare, they were consistently found in all age groups, especially during affiliative and agonistic interactions. Within behavioural contexts rank (excluding alpha-rank) had no effect on the rate of male chimpanzees' use of vocal or gestural signals and only a small effect on their use of combination signals. The alpha male was an outlier, however, both as a prolific user of gestures and recipient of high levels of vocal and gesture-vocal signals. Persistence in si

SUBMITTER: Hobaiter C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5446553 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature