31.08.2022Call combinations in chimpanzees: a social tool?

Firstly, through applying methods from computational linguistics (i.e., collocation ana-lyses),  we  built  an  objective  repertoire  of  combinatorial  structures  in  chimpanzees.  Second,  we  investigated  what  potential  factors  influenced  call  combination  production.  We  show  that  combinatoriality  is  predominant  in  1)  social  contexts  vs.  non-social  contexts,  2)  females  vs.  males,  and  3)  negatively  correlates  with  male  rank.  Together,  these  results  suggest  one  function  of  combinatoriality  in  chimpanzees may be to help individuals navigate their dynamic social world.

Call combinations in chimpanzees: a social tool? in Behavioral Ecology