Dialects in Japanese monkeys: vocal learning and cultural transmission of locale-specific vocal behavior?
Differences were detected by ear in vocalizations made during artificial feeding of Japanese monkey troops at three locations. Tape recording and sound spectrographic analysis confirmed a distinctive vocal pattern specific to each site and used only in the provisioning situation. The 3 different acoustic morphologies are variations on a shared tonal theme. Vocal learning by Macaca fuscata may have occurred separately at each site regulated by species-wide constraints on vocal production.
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological; D000882:Haplorhini; D007564:Japan; D014831:Voice