<p>Understanding the vocal repertoire of a species allows for in-depth study of evolutionary change both among and within species. Research on the vocalizations of monkeys in the genus <i>Chlorocebus</i> is largely focused on the use of semantic alarm calls in the vervet monkey (<i>Chlorocebus pygerythrus</i>). <i>Chlorocebus</i> species living in isolated, non-native populations in the Caribbean are not exposed to the same types of predators as are monkeys in Africa and face considerably fewer threats, making them an interesting species of study. We aimed to describe the vocal repertoire of green monkeys (<i>Chlorocebus sabaeus</i>) living on Barbados and investigate whether monkeys still use alarm calls despite living without notable predators. We recorded all vocalizations made by a group of green monkeys at Grenade Hall Forest in Barbados from May to August 2022. We used Raven Pro software to isolate and measure vocalizations. Using a two-step statistical approach, we identified 12 unique vocalizations from adult and subadult monkeys and four unique vocalizations used by infants. We found that alarm calls used by native populations of <i>Chlorocebus</i> to reference specific predators such as leopards, raptors, and snakes were not used in the same way in Barbados. Specifically, aerial and terrestrial alarm calls shared similar acoustic structures despite being elicited by different stimuli. Calls thus appear to have generalized in the absence of some predator types. This study suggests that primate semantic call use can change in isolated populations as a result of differences in environments, in this case, changes to the species of predator present.</p>

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The vocal repertoire of Caribbean green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) living in Barbados

  • Rose Amrhein,
  • Perri Eason

摘要

Understanding the vocal repertoire of a species allows for in-depth study of evolutionary change both among and within species. Research on the vocalizations of monkeys in the genus Chlorocebus is largely focused on the use of semantic alarm calls in the vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus). Chlorocebus species living in isolated, non-native populations in the Caribbean are not exposed to the same types of predators as are monkeys in Africa and face considerably fewer threats, making them an interesting species of study. We aimed to describe the vocal repertoire of green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) living on Barbados and investigate whether monkeys still use alarm calls despite living without notable predators. We recorded all vocalizations made by a group of green monkeys at Grenade Hall Forest in Barbados from May to August 2022. We used Raven Pro software to isolate and measure vocalizations. Using a two-step statistical approach, we identified 12 unique vocalizations from adult and subadult monkeys and four unique vocalizations used by infants. We found that alarm calls used by native populations of Chlorocebus to reference specific predators such as leopards, raptors, and snakes were not used in the same way in Barbados. Specifically, aerial and terrestrial alarm calls shared similar acoustic structures despite being elicited by different stimuli. Calls thus appear to have generalized in the absence of some predator types. This study suggests that primate semantic call use can change in isolated populations as a result of differences in environments, in this case, changes to the species of predator present.