Social and individual factors mediate chimpanzee vocal ontogeny
Abstract Human language develops in social interactions. In other ape species, the role of social learning in vocal ontogeny can be typically underappreciated, mainly because it has received little empirical attention. Here, we examine the development of pant hoot vocalisations during vocal exchange...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93207-x |
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| author | Adrian Soldati Pawel Fedurek Guillaume Dezecache Geresomu Muhumuza Catherine Hobaiter Klaus Zuberbühler Josep Call |
| author_facet | Adrian Soldati Pawel Fedurek Guillaume Dezecache Geresomu Muhumuza Catherine Hobaiter Klaus Zuberbühler Josep Call |
| author_sort | Adrian Soldati |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Human language develops in social interactions. In other ape species, the role of social learning in vocal ontogeny can be typically underappreciated, mainly because it has received little empirical attention. Here, we examine the development of pant hoot vocalisations during vocal exchanges in immature wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) of the Sonso community of the Budongo Forest, Uganda. We investigated how maternal gregariousness, age, sex, and social context are associated with behavioural and vocal responses to other group members’ calls. We show that the older sons of gregarious mothers are more likely to orient their attention, respond vocally to the calls of others, and are overall more exposed to others’ calls compared to other immature individuals. This effect is strongest in the presence of adult males and when their mothers also respond vocally, suggesting that chimpanzee vocal development is enhanced by social and vocal exposure. Our findings are consistent with a more flexible and socially mediated chimpanzee vocal ontogeny than previously assumed and show some parallels with animal vocal learners and children language acquisition. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-49f932350b6f4313b52caaefbf172b8f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-49f932350b6f4313b52caaefbf172b8f2025-08-20T02:56:11ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-93207-xSocial and individual factors mediate chimpanzee vocal ontogenyAdrian Soldati0Pawel Fedurek1Guillaume Dezecache2Geresomu Muhumuza3Catherine Hobaiter4Klaus Zuberbühler5Josep Call6Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of ZürichDivision of Psychology, University of StirlingUMI SOURCE, Université Paris-Saclay, IRD, UVSQBudongo Conservation Field StationSchool of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St AndrewsSchool of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St AndrewsSchool of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St AndrewsAbstract Human language develops in social interactions. In other ape species, the role of social learning in vocal ontogeny can be typically underappreciated, mainly because it has received little empirical attention. Here, we examine the development of pant hoot vocalisations during vocal exchanges in immature wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) of the Sonso community of the Budongo Forest, Uganda. We investigated how maternal gregariousness, age, sex, and social context are associated with behavioural and vocal responses to other group members’ calls. We show that the older sons of gregarious mothers are more likely to orient their attention, respond vocally to the calls of others, and are overall more exposed to others’ calls compared to other immature individuals. This effect is strongest in the presence of adult males and when their mothers also respond vocally, suggesting that chimpanzee vocal development is enhanced by social and vocal exposure. Our findings are consistent with a more flexible and socially mediated chimpanzee vocal ontogeny than previously assumed and show some parallels with animal vocal learners and children language acquisition.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93207-x |
| spellingShingle | Adrian Soldati Pawel Fedurek Guillaume Dezecache Geresomu Muhumuza Catherine Hobaiter Klaus Zuberbühler Josep Call Social and individual factors mediate chimpanzee vocal ontogeny Scientific Reports |
| title | Social and individual factors mediate chimpanzee vocal ontogeny |
| title_full | Social and individual factors mediate chimpanzee vocal ontogeny |
| title_fullStr | Social and individual factors mediate chimpanzee vocal ontogeny |
| title_full_unstemmed | Social and individual factors mediate chimpanzee vocal ontogeny |
| title_short | Social and individual factors mediate chimpanzee vocal ontogeny |
| title_sort | social and individual factors mediate chimpanzee vocal ontogeny |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93207-x |
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