The Vocal Repertoire of the Ringtailed Lemur (Lemur catta)

Abstract

The vocal repertoire of the ringtailed lemur (Lemur cαttα) is described quantitatively and spectrographically. Structure, usage and inferred function of the vocalizations of adults and immatures are examined and discussed. The size, acoustic variability and development of the ringtailed lemur’s vocal repertoire are compared to prior assessments for this species as well as for other primates. With up to 22 different adult call types, the ringtailed lemur has a moderately large vocal repertoire for a primate.

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“…Recordings were made with a commercial camcorder Panasonic HC-V720. Dr. Matteucci, in collaboration with OF and MG, compiled the complete ethogram of the ring-tailed lemur from previous research (Jolly 1966;Evans & Goy 1968;Pereira, Seeligson & Macedonia 1988;Macedonia 1993;Oda 1996;Pereira & Kappeler 1997;Wilson 2002;Mertl-Millhollen 2006;Palagi 2009;Palagi & Norscia 2009;Sclafani et al 2012). Additional behaviours were added after observations by Matteucci and Baracco (unpublished data).…”

Lemur catta (Primates: Lemuridae)

“…Communication.-Lemur catta has a broad range of vocalizations consisting of at least 22 distinct adult calls and an additional 6 distinct infant calls, both including varia-tions within specific call types (Macedonia 1993b). Macedonia (1993b), who completed the 1st extensive overview of L. catta vocalizations since Jolly's 1966 field report, generalized adult call types into 3 categories (''affiliative,'' ''agnostic,'' and ''alarm'' vocalizations) and infant call types into 2 categories (''affiliative'' and ''distress'' vocalizations).…”

“…Macedonia (1993b), who completed the 1st extensive overview of L. catta vocalizations since Jolly's 1966 field report, generalized adult call types into 3 categories (''affiliative,'' ''agnostic,'' and ''alarm'' vocalizations) and infant call types into 2 categories (''affiliative'' and ''distress'' vocalizations). Among the 8 adult affiliative vocalizations, the ''moan'' and ''wail'' variants are inferred to promote group cohesion during varying levels of arousal (Macedonia 1993b).…”

“…The ''howl,'' ''hmm,'' ''huh,'' and ''chirp'' are inferred to play a role in group positioning, relocation, and movement (Macedonia 1993b). The ''howl,'' a primarily male call, has mostly been observed before long periods of inactivity (i.e., evening rest and afternoon ''siesta'') and during the breeding season as a self-advertising call (Jolly 1966).…”

“…The ''howl,'' a primarily male call, has mostly been observed before long periods of inactivity (i.e., evening rest and afternoon ''siesta'') and during the breeding season as a self-advertising call (Jolly 1966). Lastly, the ''purr'' is the only identified adult vocalization suspected to convey friendly mood (Macedonia 1993b). Adult agonistic vocalizations, ''yip,'' ''cackle,'' ''squeal,'' ''twitter,'' ''plosive bark,'' and ''chutter,'' each are expressed as unique displays of dominance or submission and vary in frequency of use by age, rank, and sex of individuals (Macedonia 1993b).…”