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Forget Alpine peaks; monkey yodeling, a newly published study reveals, is the domain of primates inhabiting jungles and rainforests worldwide. Scientists have discovered that certain monkey species are the true virtuosos of vocal acrobatics, challenging the long-held belief that yodeling is a uniquely human skill.
Primate Vocal Performances Rival Human Yodeling
Contrary to previous assumptions, research published in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B indicates that the most skilled yodelers on the planet are not humans residing in mountainous regions but rather certain types of monkeys.
Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK and the University of Vienna in Austria conducted a study at La Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary in Bolivia, recording and analyzing the vocalizations of various primate species. The study focused on primates including black and gold howler monkeys, tufted capuchins, black-capped squirrel monkeys, and Peruvian spider monkeys.
The Secret of Monkey Yodeling: Vocal Membranes
The research team uncovered that monkeys possess a distinct advantage in yodeling: specialized anatomical structures in their throats known as vocal membranes. These membranes, which were lost in human evolution to facilitate stable speech, enable monkeys to produce rapid “voice breaks” in their calls. These breaks are similar to the swift frequency transitions characteristic of yodeling, but occur at significantly higher octaves than humanly possible.
Communication Through Complex Vocalization
Scientists learned that these yodel-like vocalizations serve as a crucial communication tool for primates, enabling individual differentiation and interaction within their social groups. This parallels the historical use of varied vocal pitches by humans in mountainous areas for long-distance communication.
According to Professor Jacob Dunn, a senior author of the study and evolutionary biologist at Anglia Ruskin University, “These findings demonstrate how monkeys utilize an evolved feature in their larynx—the vocal membrane—to generate a wider array of calls, including these ultra-yodels.”
He further noted, “This capability may be particularly vital for primates, given their intricate social structures and the necessity for diverse modes of communication.”
New World Monkeys: Masters of “Ultra-Yodeling”
The study highlighted that New World monkeys, inhabiting regions from Mexico to Argentina, have evolved the largest vocal membranes among primates. Consequently, these monkeys are classified as “ultra-yodelers,” capable of frequency leaps up to five times greater than those achievable by the human voice and spanning over three musical octaves.
Dr. Christian T. Herbst, the lead author from the University of Vienna, stated, “This research offers a captivating illustration of how nature provides mechanisms for enriching animal vocalization, even in the absence of language.”