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A Comparison of Calling Patterns in Two Nocturnal Primates, Otolemur crassicaudatus and Galago moholi as a Guide to Predation Risk

  • Simon K. Bearder
Chapter
Part of the Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects book series (DIPR)

Abstract

Predation on nocturnal primates is rarely witnessed, but a strong indication of predation risk can be inferred from the reactions of potential prey species to various sources of danger. In these circumstances, some nocturnal primates exhibit a rich array of calls whereas others are relatively silent. But predators are not the only cause of anxiety, and identical calls may sometimes be given when an animal is threatened by a conspecific. Individuals also call when in vulnerable situations, for example, if they are out of touch with companions, on crossing an open space, or when unable to leap between branches. For these reasons, calling patterns provide not only a means to assess the influence of potential predators, but also the extent of other dangers faced by individuals and the mechanisms they use in avoiding them.

Keywords

Alarm Call Potential Predator Agonistic Interaction Advertising Call Loud Call 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007

Authors and Affiliations

  • Simon K. Bearder
    • 1
  1. 1.Nocturnal Primate Research Group School of Social Science and Law Department of AnthropologyOxford Brookes UniversityOxfordEngland UK

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