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Maternal discrimination of offspring vocalizations in Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus)

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Abstract

The response of Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus) females to vocalizations of their offspring was studied in a semi-free ranging population. The results of both facal observations and playback experiments demonstrated that mothers preferentially turned to their offspring's vocalizations over those of other young, providing evidence that mothers are able to recognize their offspring by acoustic signals alone. We assume that they may use this ability to monitor their infants' activities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abteilung Neurobiologie, Deutsches Primatenzentrum (DPZ), Kellnerweg 4, D-37077, Göttingen, Germany

    Kurt Hammerschmidt

  2. Institut für Verhaltensbiologie, FU, Berlin, Germany

    Kurt Hammerschmidt

  3. Institut für Verhaltensbiologie, FU, Berlin, Germany

    Julia Fischer

Authors
  1. Kurt Hammerschmidt
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  2. Julia Fischer
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Hammerschmidt, K., Fischer, J. Maternal discrimination of offspring vocalizations in Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus). Primates 39, 231–236 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02557735

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02557735

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