Non-specific alarm calls trigger mobbing behavior in Hainan gibbons (Nomascus hainanus).
Alarm calls are important defensive behaviors. Here, we report the acoustic spectrum characteristics of alarm calls produced by Hainan gibbons (Nomascus hainanus) inhabiting Bawangling National Nature Reserve in Hainan, China. Analysis of call data collected from 2002-2014 shows that alarm calls are emitted by all family group members, except infants. Alarm behavior included simple short alarming calls (7-10 min) followed by longer variable-frequency mobbing calls lasting 5-12 min. The duration of individual alarming and mobbing calls was 0.078 ± 0.014 s and 0.154 ± 0.041 s at frequency ranges of 520-1000 Hz and 690-3920 Hz, respectively. Alarming call duration was positively associated with group size. The alarm calls can trigger mobbing behavior in Hainan gibbons; this is a defense way of social animals, and first report among the primates' species. The system of vocal alarm behavior described in this critically endangered species is simple and effective.
School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550001, China, 116# Baoshan North Road, Guiyang, Guizhou 550001, China.
Huaiqing
H
Deng
School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550001, China, 116# Baoshan North Road, Guiyang, Guizhou 550001, China.
Kai
K
Gao
School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550001, China, 116# Baoshan North Road, Guiyang, Guizhou 550001, China.
Jiang
J
Zhou
PLoS One. 2006 Dec 20;1:e73
17183705
Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc. 2002 Feb;77(1):57-76
11911374
Am J Primatol. 1990;21(1):53-60
31963986
Naturwissenschaften. 2010 Nov;97(11):1023-7
20848074
BMC Evol Biol. 2015 Apr 08;15:56
25888361
Folia Primatol (Basel). 2002 Jan-Feb;73(1):32-45
12065939