Relative Dominance and Resource Availability Mediate Mantled Howler (Alouatta palliata) Spatial Responses to Neighbors’ Loud Calls

摘要: Many animals generate long-distance vocalizations (“loud calls”) that have been hypothesized to mediate spatial interactions. Howls by mantled howlers (Alouatta palliata), specifically, are function in group spacing, but the mechanism which this is accomplished remains unclear. In study, I evaluated role of naturally occurring howls mediating howler intergroup interactions on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Multivariate analyses examined relationships between social and environmental contextual variables likelihood a would approach or avoid neighboring group’s howl. Mantled were more likely howling neighbors when fruit flower availability was limited. Relative dominance also highly significant predictor approach, though relationship ran contrary expectations. Groups higher established hierarchy than those lower down, possibly reflecting priority access dominant groups quality resources. Other tested, including numeric odds, vocalization intensity, infanticide risk, location group, not predictors response. These findings consistent with assertion contain identifying information highlight importance multivariate responses loud calls. results indicate potential contrasts observational playback studies suggesting howl may play greater simulated intruders known neighbor groups, relative provide salient measure competitive ability odds among interaction histories.