Sex Differences in the Use of Whinny Vocalizations in Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi).
Date
2014-01-20
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Abstract
Spider monkey social groups are characterized by male philopatry and high fission-fusion dynamics. Individuals form subgroups that temporally vary in size, composition, and spatial cohesion. Both sexes produce whinny vocalizations, which may allow close associates to maintain contact in dispersed subgroups. Females however do not form close bonds, therefore the use of their call remains unresolved. We investigate sex differences in the use of whinny vocalizations by the Yucatan spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi yucatanensis) at Runaway Creek Nature Reserve, central Belize. Females called at higher rates than males in most behavioral contexts, particularly while foraging. The likelihood of female calling increased during subgroup fissions and fusions, and was positively correlated with the number of animals joining or leaving a subgroup. Neither behavioral context, nor changes in subgroup composition affected the likelihood of calling by males. These different patterns indicate that the call may function differently for each sex.
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Anthropology--Physical
Citation
Dubreuil, C. J. (2014). Sex Differences in the Use of Whinny Vocalizations in Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi). (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/27765