Strategic Use of Affiliative Vocalizations by Wild Female Baboons

摘要: Although vocal production in non-human primates is highly constrained, individuals appear to have some control over whether call or remain silent. We investigated how contextual factors affect the of grunts given by wild female chacma baboons, Papio ursinus, during social interactions. Females grunted as they approached other adult females 28% time. Supporting previous research, were much more likely grunt mothers with young infants than without infants. Grunts also significantly increased likelihood affiliative interactions among all partners. Notably, however, did not simply mirror existing bonds. Instead, appeared perform a very different function: namely, serve signals benign intent between partners whose relationship necessarily close predictable. less their daughters—the whom shared closest and least aggressive bonds—than females. In contrast, patterns grunting sisters similar those nonkin, perhaps reflecting sisters’ ambivalent relationships. at higher rates lower-ranking, higher-ranking, females, supporting hypothesis that do signal signaler’s level arousal anxiety about receiving aggression, but instead function intent. Taken together, results suggest baboons reduce uncertainty outcome an interaction predictably affiliative. Despite limited repertoire, be skilled modifying contexts for audiences.