Food calling by captive bonobos (Pan paniscus): An experiment |
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Authors: | E Krunkelsven J Dupain L Van Elsacker R F Verheyen |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2640 Wilrijk, Belgium;(2) Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, K. Astridplein 26, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium |
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Abstract: | We examined (i) whether bonobos display a specific food-calling behavior when discovering a hidden food resource, (ii) whether
the presence of competitors affects this behavior, and (iii) whether food quantity or gender influences its appearance. We
carried out experiments (n = 108) within a captive group of eight bonobos at the Animal Park Planckendael (Mechelen,Belgium). We hid highly preferred food items (n = 7 or 25) in their enclosure and recorded vocal behavior and interactions
between discoverer and group members. As a control, we gave the same number of items to the individuals when isolated from
the group, a situation without potential food competition (n = 38). The only vocalization frequently uttered by the discoverer
was the food peep. They uttered food peeps significantly more often when no food competition was possible. The amount of food
had no significant influence on whether food peeps were uttered. The same applies to the individuals’ identity or gender.
Although the costs of food calling behavior seemed much higher for males, both sexes uttered food calls to the same extent.
We hypothesize thai males signal food presence in order to attract potential mates and are willing to give up the discovered
food resource in return for sex: sex for food exchange. In contrast, females may vocalize to attract coalition partners. Through
these coalitions, they can monopolize food resources vis-à-vis males. It is also possible that females have less reason to
suppress food calk, since they are dominant to males. This study suggests that bonobos are able to give shaded signals about
their environment and have the potential to communicate this information in order to promote their sexual strategy. |
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Keywords: | Pan paniscus bonobo vocalization food calls food competition |
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