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Cited by 138Primate Behavior and EcologyAnimal Vocal Communication and BehaviorMarine animal studies overview

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 29 of the 30 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Gorillas' Vocalizations During Rest Periods: Signals of Impending Departure?

Stewart, Kelly J., Harcourt, Alexander H.·1994·Behaviour
DOI 10.1163/156853994x00127
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Abstract

Animal signals have been interpreted as indicating something about the signaller's internal state and hence its subsequent behaviour, while at the same time eliciting a response from the receiver. Such signals are often given when the costs and benefits of an action depend on what others do. This interpretation of meaning and function of signals has been applied primarily to ritualized competitive or courtship displays. Here we use the approach to analyse another context of signalling and a more subtle communicatory behaviour. Gorillas live in small cohesive groups whose synchronized activities alternate between travel/ feeding periods and resting periods. We present data on gorillas' vocalizations - the grunts - prior to a coordinated departure from a rest period. We suggest that gorillas use these signals to indicate their readiness to depart and to assess that readiness in others. Vocal activity increased significantly towards the end of rest periods, due both to individuals calling at higher rates, and to a greater number of vocalizers. This increase in vocal activity was not associated with a greater clumping of animals, nor with an increase in non-rest activities, and therefore appeared to be related to subsequent departure. The frequent exchange of grunts supports the notion that gorillas might use the calls of others to assess their readiness to depart. We speculate that such signalling could function to synchronize the behaviour of group members and lead to coordinated group movement.

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Metadata

Authors
Stewart, K. J., & Harcourt, A. H.
Affiliations
University of California, Davis (US)
Venue
Behaviour
Publisher
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Published
1994
Volume
130
Issue
1-2
Pages
29-40
ISSN
  • 0005-7959 (ISSN-L)
  • 1568-539X
DOI
10.1163/156853994x00127
OpenAlex
W2002466756
Cited by
137
References
30
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 6
FWCI
0.65
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Behaviour (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Primate Behavior and Ecology
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Marine animal studies overview
Keywords
gorillas, vocalizations, grunts, rest periods, animal communication, collective synchronization, social cohesion, primate behavior

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