Researchers have discovered that marmoset monkeys use distinct vocal calls to ‘name’ and communicate with each other, expanding our understanding of animal cognition.
Published in the journal Science, this new research follows earlier findings about elephants, which also use unique vocalisations to identify individuals.
The study, led by researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, reveals that marmosets, small primates native to South America, utilise specific calls,
known as "phee-calls", to address individual members of their group.
The study involved recording natural interactions between marmosets and also included experiments where the monkeys interacted with a computer system.
The results showed that marmosets employ these vocalisations to specifically identify and communicate with each other.
The researchers found that these calls were not only used to address particular individuals but also to elicit appropriate responses from them.
David Omer, the lead researcher, highlighted the significance of this discovery. "Naming others is a sophisticated cognitive ability, once thought to be unique to humans, dolphins, and elephants," he said. "Our findings suggest that marmosets share a similar communicative complexity."
Marmosets live in small, close-knit family units where they exhibit behaviours akin to human social structures. They take part in communal care of their young, which bears resemblance to human family dynamics.
This similarity indicates that marmosets may have faced evolutionary pressures similar to those encountered by early human ancestors, potentially leading to the development of complex communication systems.
The study also found that family members use similar vocal labels for different individuals within their group, demonstrating a pattern akin to human names and dialects.
This suggests that marmosets not only learn vocal labels from their relatives but also adopt variations in their vocalisation styles, reflecting social learning processes.
The researchers propose that this vocal labelling may be an evolutionary adaptation that helps marmosets navigate their dense rainforest habitats, where visibility is often limited.
By using these distinctive calls, marmosets can maintain strong social bonds and ensure cohesion within their groups.
This research offers valuable insights into the evolution of language and social communication, shedding light on the complex cognitive abilities of non-human animals.
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