The Indris Have Got Rhythm! Timing and Pitch Variation of a Primate Song Examined between Sexes and Age Classes

摘要: A crucial, common feature of speech and music is that they show non-random structures over time. It an open question which the other species share rhythmic abilities with humans, but in most cases lack knowledge about their behavioral displays prevents further studies. Indris are only lemurs who sing. They produce loud howling cries can be heard at several kilometers, all members a group usually We tested whether overlapping turn-taking during songs followed precise pattern by analysing temporal structure individuals' contribution to song. found both dominants (males females) non-dominants influenced onset timing one another. have dominant male female overlapped each more frequently than did non-dominants. then focused on frequency particular phrases occurring Our results males females dimorphic inter-onset intervals phrases. Moreover, median frequencies unit emitted also differ between sexes, showing higher when compared females. not effect age spectral These indicate singing indris has high flexibility varies according social individual factors. The flexible given song may underlie perceptual relatively unknown non-human primates, such as ability recognize pitch patterns.