Social shaping of voices does not impair phenotype matching of kinship in mandrills

F. Levréro, G. Carrete-Vega, A. Herbert, I. Lawabi, A. Courtiol, E. Willaume, P. M. Kappeler and M.J.E. Charpentier ()
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F. Levréro: Université de Lyon/Saint-Etienne, Equipe Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle, Neuro-PSI
G. Carrete-Vega: Université de Lyon/Saint-Etienne, Equipe Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle, Neuro-PSI
A. Herbert: CIRMF, Centre de Primatologie
I. Lawabi: CIRMF, Centre de Primatologie
A. Courtiol: IZW
E. Willaume: SODEPAL
P. M. Kappeler: Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, German Primate Center (DPZ)
M.J.E. Charpentier: CEFE UMR5175, CNRS—Université de Montpellier II—Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier—EPHE

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Kin selection theory provides a strong theoretical framework to explain the evolution of altruism and cooperative behaviour among genetically related individuals. However, the proximate mechanisms underlying kin discrimination, a necessary process to express kin-related behaviour, remain poorly known. In particular, no study has yet unambiguously disentangled mechanisms based on learned familiarity from true phenotype matching in kin discrimination based on vocal signals. Here we show that in addition to genetic background, social accommodation also shapes individual voices in an Old World monkey (Mandrillus sphinx), even though primate vocalizations were thought to be innate and little flexible. Nonetheless, social shaping of voice parameters does not impair kin discrimination through phenotype-matching of unknown relatives, revealing unexpected discriminatory versatility despite signal complexity. Accurate signal production and perception, therefore, provide a basis for kin identification and kin-biased behaviour in an Old World primate.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8609

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