The vocalisations and anti-predatory behaviour of wild white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand
Abstract
The loud songs of gibbons (Hylobatidae) usually consist of a duet by the mated pair
delivered each morning. These songs can transmit over a kilometre through dense
forest habitat and therefore presumably play a role in long-distance communication.
There is some evidence to suggest that gibbons use song in contexts other than their
daily duets, such as predation, but these songs have not been well studied. Close-
range communication is also relevant for gibbons, but these quieter calls have
completely escaped any detailed observation.
The responses of wild white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) to simulated visual and
acoustic predators (tiger, clouded leopard, reticulated python and crested serpent
eagle) were studied in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand to address the lack of
empirical data about these important events. Little is known about gibbons’ anti-
predatory behaviour in general, and simulated predator encounters provided an
opportunity to investigate these responses as well.
Results showed that gibbons used song as part of their anti-predator strategy and that
subtle combinatorial changes were meaningful to conspecifics. They also showed
marked behavioural changes in the short-term, and some evidence of longer-term
changes as well. Quiet calls were also part of the gibbons’ response repertoire with
the hoo call being particularly relevant. Hoos were used as a prelude to singing both
normal duets and predator songs, but there were consistent differences between each
context. Hoos were also delivered independently in a number of other contexts outside predation. When analysed, these hoos showed consistent contextual
differences in a number of spectral parameters.
Within the duet context, important contextual subtleties were evident also revealing a
remarkable vocal plasticity. In addition, gibbons voluntarily attended to specific
vocal elements of other gibbon duets, indicating that certain sequences are more
pertinent than others.
Results suggest both gibbon song and gibbon hoos are powerful communication tools
that reliably reference external objects and events; this ability is also a critical feature
of human language.
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
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