Vocal communication in captive golden monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellanae)

The Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey,Rhinopithecus roxellanae, is an endangered Colobine endemic to China. The behavior and biology of this species are little known, and it has rarely been kept in captivity outside China. Results from 42 hr of observations of a male-female golden monkey pair provide preliminary information on the vocal behavior of this species in captivity. Vocalizations by the animals often occurred within antiphonal sequences, which were primarily initiated by the female. Sequences were brief (2–3 calls), showed little or no temporal overlap, and were emitted primarily when the animals were distal from one another, suggesting that sequences may function as contact calls in nature. Some vocalizations appeared to be cryptic, i.e. unaccompanied by mouth or body movement, and these were observed more often than noncryptic calls in both animals. Vocal communication appears to be complex in this species, and remains poorly understood.