Vocal complexity and sociality in spotted paca (Cuniculus paca)

摘要: The evolution of sociality is related to many ecological factors that act on animals as selective forces, thus driving the formation groups. Group size will depend payoffs group living. Social Complexity Hypothesis for Communication (SCHC) predicts increases in be complexity communication among individuals. This hypothesis, which was confirmed some mammal societies, may useful trace spotted paca (Cuniculus paca), a Neotropical caviomorph rodent reported solitary. There are, however, sightings groups wild, and farmers easily form captivity. Thus, we aimed describe acoustic repertoire captive test SCHC obtain insights about sociability this species. Moreover, verify relationship between rodents, better understand taxon. We predicted should display complex repertoire, given their social behavior captivity wild. also species would increase with supporting SCHC. performed Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) based parameters vocalizations recorded. In addition, applied an independent contrasts approach investigate following phylogeny. Our analysis showed paca’s contains seven vocal types one mechanical signal. broad might have evolved species’ ability live repertoires confirmed, providing additional support yet another diverse mammals–caviomorph rodents.