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Cottontop tamarin, Saguinus oedipus, alarm calls contain sufficient information for recognition of individual identity
Many species vocalize to warn conspecifics of a predatory threat. This vocalization, called an alarm call, plays an important role in predator defense. Here we look at the cotton-top tamarin and its ability to discern changes in identity of alarm callers. If a tamarin hears the alarm calls of one individual, can it detect a change in caller identity? Is that change important? Our results indicate that cotton-top tamarins can detect that change. The alarm calls of one individual are ignored if repeated in the presence of no danger. However, if after this individual’s calls have become unreliable, a different animal alarm calls, subjects do not ignore this new individual. This suggests that these animals have the tools to recognize individuals based on their vocalizations alone. It also shows that an alarm call is not simply a signal of danger, but a signal of danger from a particular individual.DOI (Digital Object Identifier, will open in another window):: doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2006.04.006
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DOI (Digital Object Identifier, will open in another window):: doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2006.04.006