Pavelka, MaryNotman, HughDubreuil, Colin James2014-01-202014-03-152014-01-202013Dubreuil, 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/27765http://hdl.handle.net/11023/1281Spider 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.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Anthropology--PhysicalPrimatologyVocalizationCommunicationsex differencesContact callsFission fusionFood callAnimal CommunicationSpider Monkeymaster thesishttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/27765