A5013463033- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Marine animal studies overview
- Language and cultural evolution
- Child and Animal Learning Development
- Infant Health and Development
- Linguistic Variation and Morphology
- Music and Audio Processing
- Multisensory perception and integration
- Speech and Audio Processing
- Language, Metaphor, and Cognition
- Hearing Impairment and Communication
- Language Development and Disorders
- Action Observation and Synchronization
- Folklore, Mythology, and Literature Studies
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- Plant and Biological Electrophysiology Studies
- Neural dynamics and brain function
University of Zurich
2016-2025
University of Warwick
2016-2025
Center for Interdisciplinary Studies
2021-2025
Oerlikon (Switzerland)
2022
Kalahari Meerkat Project
2010-2017
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
2016
Wolf Science Center
2013
University of St Andrews
2007-2011
St. Andrews University
2009
University of Otago
2006
Determining the intentionality of primate communication is critical to understanding evolution human language. Although intentional signalling has been claimed for some great ape gestural signals, comparable evidence currently lacking their vocal signals. We presented wild chimpanzees with a python model and found that two three alarm call types exhibited characteristics previously used argue in communication. These calls were: (i) socially directed given arrival friends, (ii) associated...
Abstract Whether animal vocalizations have the potential to communicate information regarding ongoing external events or objects has received considerable attention over last four decades. Such ‘functionally referential signals’ (Macedonia & Evans 1993) been shown occur in a range of mammals and bird species as consequence helped us understand complexities that underlie communication, particularly how animals process perceive their socio‐ecological worlds. Here, we review existing...
ABSTRACT Language's intentional nature has been highlighted as a crucial feature distinguishing it from other communication systems. Specifically, language is often thought to depend on highly structured action and mutual mindreading by communicator recipient. Whilst similar abilities in animals can shed light the evolution of intentionality, they remain challenging detect unambiguously. We revisit animal suggest that progress identifying analogous capacities complicated ( i ) assumption...
Abstract Through syntax, i.e., the combination of words into larger phrases, language can express a limitless number messages. Data in great apes, our closest-living relatives, are central to reconstruction syntax’s phylogenetic origins, yet currently lacking. Here, we provide evidence for syntactic-like structuring chimpanzee communication. Chimpanzees produce “ alarm-huus ” when surprised and waa-barks potentially recruiting conspecifics during aggression or hunting. Anecdotal data...
Language's expressive power is largely attributable to its compositionality: meaningful words are combined into larger/higher-order structures with derived meaning. Despite importance, little known regarding the evolutionary origins and emergence of this syntactic ability. Although previous research has shown a rudimentary capability combine calls in primates, because scarcity comparative data, it unclear what extent analog forms might also exist outside primates. Here, we address ambiguity...
A key step in understanding the evolution of human language involves unravelling origins language’s syntactic structure. One approach seeks to reduce core syntax humans a single principle recursive combination, merge, for which there is no evidence other species. We argue an alternative approach. review that beneath staggering complexity syntax, extensive layer nonproductive, nonhierarchical can be fruitfully compared animal call combinations. This essential groundwork must explored and...
A growing body of observational and experimental data in nonhuman primates has highlighted the presence rudimentary call combinations within vocal communication system monkeys.Such evidence suggests ability to combine meaning-bearing units into larger structures, a key feature language also known as syntax, could have its origins rooted primate lineage.However, evolutionary progression this trait remains ambiguous for similar great apes, our closest-living relatives, is sparse incomplete.In...
While research over the last 20 years has shed important light on vocal behaviour of our closest living relatives, bonobos and chimpanzees, a quantitative description their full repertoire is absent. Such data are critical for holistic understanding species` communication system unpacking how these systems compare more broadly with other primate non-primate species. Here we make key progress by providing first Pan repertoire, specifically wild bonobos. Using comprising 1500 calls from 53...
The adaptive function of copulation calls in female primates has been debated for years. One influential idea is that are a sexually selected trait, which enables females to advertise their receptive state males. Male-male competition ensues and benefit by getting better mating partners higher quality offspring. We analysed the calling behaviour wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) at Budongo Forest, Uganda, but found no support male-male hypothesis. Hormone analysis showed...
Nonlinear vocal phenomena are a ubiquitous feature of human and non-human animal vocalizations. Although we understand how these complex acoustic intrusions generated, it is not clear whether they function adaptively for the animals producing them. One explanation that nonlinearities make calls more unpredictable, increasing behavioural responses ultimately reducing chances habituation to call types. Meerkats ( Suricata suricatta ) exhibit nonlinear subharmonics in their predator alarm...
Abstract Albinism—the congenital absence of pigmentation—is a very rare phenomenon in animals due to the significant costs fitness this condition. Both humans and non‐human individuals with albinism face number challenges, such as reduced vision, increased exposure ultraviolet radiation, or compromised crypticity resulting an elevated vulnerability predation. However, while observations social interactions involving have been observed wild non‐primate animals, not described detail primates...
Abstract Acoustic communication, broadly distributed along the vertebrate phylogeny, plays a fundamental role in parental care, mate attraction and various other behaviours. Despite its importance, comparatively less is known about evolutionary roots of acoustic communication. Phylogenetic comparative analyses can provide insights into deep time origin but they are often plagued by missing data from key species. Here we present evidence for 53 species four major clades (turtles, tuatara,...
The ability to generate new meaning by rearranging combinations of meaningless sounds is a fundamental component language. Although animal vocalizations often comprise acoustic elements, evidence that such generates functionally distinct lacking. Here, we provide for this basic in calls the chestnut-crowned babbler (Pomatostomus ruficeps), highly cooperative bird Australian arid zone. Using analyses, natural observations, and series controlled playback experiments, demonstrate species uses...
Individual recognition is thought to be a crucial ability facilitating the evolution of animal societies. Given its central importance, much research has addressed extent this capacity across kingdom. Recognition individuals vocally received particular attention due, in part, insights it provides regarding cognitive processes that underlie skill. While work focused on vocal individual primates, there currently very little data showing comparable skills non-primate mammals under natural...
Abstract Despite the fact that nonlinearities are present in calls of a number different species, their adaptive function has received little empirical investigation. Previous studies have demonstrated playbacks nonlinear evoke more extreme behavioural response and lead to an increase responsiveness compared with control without nonlinearities. Consequently, it been suggested might prevent receivers from habituating, by increasing unpredictability call (‘unpredictability hypothesis’). In...