| Peer-Reviewed

Acoustical Variation and Contextual Specificity of a Gorilla Vocalization: A Case Study

Received: 4 November 2014     Accepted: 13 November 2014     Published: 21 November 2014
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

Western lowland gorillas frequently produce a vocalization known as the DOUBLE GRUNT. It occurs in a variety of different behavioral contexts but so far no acoustical differences have been described that would distinguish DOUBLE GRUNT morphology in the particular contexts. The present study tests the hypothesis if different acoustical features characterize DOUBLE GRUNTS in different behavioral contexts. We are able to demonstrate that one acoustical variation of DOUBLE GRUNTS is consistently used in one behavioral context. Context-specificity of this kind has been described for certain chimpanzee calls and represents an interesting research avenue to investigate how species with a genetically determined vocal repertoire can achieve some degree of vocal variability. Our findings indicate that gorillas’ vocalizations also comprise calls that can be acoustically modified to be used for specific contexts.

Published in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences (Volume 3, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.pbs.20140306.12
Page(s) 192-196
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2014. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Double Grunt, Context-Specific Call, Acoustic Variation

References
[1] Zuberbuehler, K. (2012). Communication Strategies. In The evolution of primate societies, J.C. Mitani, J. Call, P.M. Kappeler, R.A. Palombit and J.B. Silk, eds. (Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press), pp. 643-663.
[2] Seyfarth, R.M., and Cheney, D.L. (1997). Some general features of vocal development in nonhuman primates. In Social influences on vocal development, C.T. Snowdon and M. Hausberger, eds. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press), pp. 249-273.
[3] Harcourt, A.H., Stewart, K.J., and Hauser, M. (1993). Functions of wild gorillas 'close calls'. I. Repertoire, context, and interspecific comparison. Behaviour 124, 89-122.
[4] Salmi, R., Hammerschmidt, K., and Doran-Sheehy, D.M. (2013). Western gorilla vocal repertoire and contextual use of vocalizations. Ethol 119, 1-17.
[5] Crockford, C., and Boesch, C. (2005). Call combinations in wild chimpanzees. Behaviour 142, 397-421.
[6] Goodall, J. (1986). The chimpanzees of Gombe, (Cambridge, MA: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press).
[7] Marler, P., and Tenaza, R.R. (1977). Signaling behavior of apes with special reference to vocalizations. In How animals communicate, T.A. Sebeok, ed. (Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press), pp. 965-1033.
[8] Hardus, M.E., Lameira, A.R., Singleton, I., Morrogh-Bernard, H.C., Knott, C.D., Ancrenaz, M., Utami Atmoko, S.S., and Wich, S.A. (2009). A description of the orangutan's vocal and sound repertoire, with a focus on geographic variation. In Orangutans: Geographic variation in behavioral ecology and conservation, S.A. Wich, ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press).
[9] Nicholson, J.S., Buchanan, K.L., Marshall, R.C., and Catchpole, C.K. (2007). Song sharing and repertoire size in the sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus: Changes within and between years. Animal Behaviour 74, 1585-1592.
[10] Fichtel, C., and van Schaik, C.P. (2006). Semantic differences in sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) alarm calls: A reflection of genetic or cultural variants? . Ethology 112, 839-849.
[11] Crockford, C., Herbinger, I., Vigilant, L., and Boesch, C. (2004). Wild chimpanzees produce group-specific calls: A case for vocal learning? Ethology 110, 221-243.
[12] Slocombe, K.E., and Zuberbuhler, K. (2005). Functionally referential communication in a chimpanzee. Curr Biol 15, 1779-1784.
[13] Tanaka, T., Sugiura, H., and Nobuo, M. (2006). Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of the development of group differences in acoustic features of coo calls in two groups of Japanese macaques. Ethology 112, 7-21.
[14] Clay, Z., Smith, C.L., and Blumstein, D.T. (2012). Food-associated vocalizations in mammals and birds: What do these calls really mean? Animal Behaviour 83, 323-330.
[15] Hammerschmidt, K., and Fischer, J. (2008). Constraints in primate vocal production. In The evolution of communicative creativity: From fixed signals to contextual flexibility, U. Griebel and K. Oller, eds. (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press).
[16] Janik, V.M., and Slater, P.J.B. (2000). The different roles of social learning in vocal communication. Animal Behaviour 60, 1-11.
[17] Janik, V.M., and Slater, P.J.B. (1997). Vocal learning in mammals. Advances in the Study of Behavior 26, 59-99.
[18] Arnold, K., and Zuberbuehler, K. (2008). Meaningful call combinations in a non-human primate. Current Biology 18, R202-R203.
[19] Crockford, C., and Boesch, C. (2003). Context-specific calls in wild chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes verus: analysis of barks. Anim Behav 66, 115-125.
[20] Seyfarth, R.M., and Cheney, D.L. (2010). Production, usage, and comprehension in animal vocalizations. Brain and Language 115, 92-100.
[21] Clarke, E., Reichard, U.H., and Zuberbuhler, K. (2006). The syntax and meaning of wild gibbon songs. PLoS One 1, e73.
[22] Geissmann, T. (2002). Duet-splitting and the evolution of gibbon songs. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 77, 57-76.
[23] Mitani, J.C., Hasegawa, T., Gros-Louis, J., Marler, P., and Byrne, R. (2005). Dialects in wild chimpanzees? . Am J Primatol 27, 233-243.
[24] Seyfarth, R.M., Cheney, D.L., Harcourt, A.H., and Stewart, K.J. (1994). The acoustic features of gorilla double grunts and their relation to behavior. Am J Primatol 33, 31-50.
[25] Fossey, D. (1972). Vocalizations of Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla-Gorilla-Beringei). Anim Behav 20, 36-53.
[26] Fossey, D. (1983). Gorillas in the mist, (Boston and New York: Mariner Books).
[27] Doran, D.M., McNeilage, A., Greer, D., Bocian, C., Mehlman, P., and Shah, N. (2002). Western lowland gorilla diet and resource availability: New evidence, cross-site comparisons, and reflections on indirect sampling methods. Am J Primatol 58, 91-116.
[28] Martin, P., and Bateson, P. (1994). Measuring behaviour: An introductory guide, (London: Cambridge University Press).
[29] Doran-Sheehy, D.M., Derby, A.M., Greer, D., and Mongo, P. (2007). Habituation of western gorillas: the process and factors that influence it. Am J Primatol 69, 1354-1369.
[30] Lehner, P.N. (2002). Handbook of ethological methods, 2nd Edition, (Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press).
[31] Dillon, W.R., and Goldstein, M. (1984). Multivariate analysis, methods and applications, (New York: Wiley).
[32] Tabachnick, B.G., and Fidell, L.S. (1996). Using multivariate statistics, (New York: Harper Collins College Publisher).
[33] Mitani, J., Hunley, K.L., and Murdoch, M.E. (1999). Geographic variation in the calls of wild chimpanzees: A reassessment. Am J Primatol 47, 133-151.
[34] Wiley, R.H. (1994). Errors, exaggeration, and deception in animal communication. In Behavioral mechanisms in evolutionary ecology, L. Real, ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press), pp. 157-189.
[35] Wiley, R.H., and Richards, D. (1982). Adaptations for acoustic communication in birds: Sound transmission and signal detection. In Acoustic communication in birds, Volume 1, D.E. Kroodsma and E.H. Miller, eds. (New York: Academic Press), pp. 131-181.
[36] Robbins, M.M. (2007). Gorillas: Diversity in ecology and behavior In Primates in perspective, C.J. Campbell, A. Fuentes, K.C. MacKinnon, M. Panger and S.K. Bearder, eds. (New York: Oxford University Press).
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Luef Eva Maria, Pika Simone. (2014). Acoustical Variation and Contextual Specificity of a Gorilla Vocalization: A Case Study. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, 3(6), 192-196. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20140306.12

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Luef Eva Maria; Pika Simone. Acoustical Variation and Contextual Specificity of a Gorilla Vocalization: A Case Study. Psychol. Behav. Sci. 2014, 3(6), 192-196. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20140306.12

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Luef Eva Maria, Pika Simone. Acoustical Variation and Contextual Specificity of a Gorilla Vocalization: A Case Study. Psychol Behav Sci. 2014;3(6):192-196. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20140306.12

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.pbs.20140306.12,
      author = {Luef Eva Maria and Pika Simone},
      title = {Acoustical Variation and Contextual Specificity of a Gorilla Vocalization: A Case Study},
      journal = {Psychology and Behavioral Sciences},
      volume = {3},
      number = {6},
      pages = {192-196},
      doi = {10.11648/j.pbs.20140306.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20140306.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.pbs.20140306.12},
      abstract = {Western lowland gorillas frequently produce a vocalization known as the DOUBLE GRUNT. It occurs in a variety of different behavioral contexts but so far no acoustical differences have been described that would distinguish DOUBLE GRUNT morphology in the particular contexts. The present study tests the hypothesis if different acoustical features characterize DOUBLE GRUNTS in different behavioral contexts. We are able to demonstrate that one acoustical variation of DOUBLE GRUNTS is consistently used in one behavioral context. Context-specificity of this kind has been described for certain chimpanzee calls and represents an interesting research avenue to investigate how species with a genetically determined vocal repertoire can achieve some degree of vocal variability. Our findings indicate that gorillas’ vocalizations also comprise calls that can be acoustically modified to be used for specific contexts.},
     year = {2014}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Acoustical Variation and Contextual Specificity of a Gorilla Vocalization: A Case Study
    AU  - Luef Eva Maria
    AU  - Pika Simone
    Y1  - 2014/11/21
    PY  - 2014
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20140306.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.pbs.20140306.12
    T2  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
    JF  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
    JO  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
    SP  - 192
    EP  - 196
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-7845
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20140306.12
    AB  - Western lowland gorillas frequently produce a vocalization known as the DOUBLE GRUNT. It occurs in a variety of different behavioral contexts but so far no acoustical differences have been described that would distinguish DOUBLE GRUNT morphology in the particular contexts. The present study tests the hypothesis if different acoustical features characterize DOUBLE GRUNTS in different behavioral contexts. We are able to demonstrate that one acoustical variation of DOUBLE GRUNTS is consistently used in one behavioral context. Context-specificity of this kind has been described for certain chimpanzee calls and represents an interesting research avenue to investigate how species with a genetically determined vocal repertoire can achieve some degree of vocal variability. Our findings indicate that gorillas’ vocalizations also comprise calls that can be acoustically modified to be used for specific contexts.
    VL  - 3
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard-Gwinner Strasse, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany

  • Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard-Gwinner Strasse, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany

  • Sections