Andrew Zimmerman
Pronouns:
Research Mentor(s): Thore Bergman
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Psychology / LSA
Program: UROPF
Session: Session 6 (3:40pm – 4:30pm)
Authors: Andrew Zimmerman, Tony Estrella, Nicki Guisneuf
Abstract
The central aim of the Capuchin de Taboga Lab is to better understand vocal communication among capuchin monkeys (Cebus imitator) and what this may reveal about the evolutionary origins of communication in humans. This study analyzed passive acoustic recordings from eight tree positions within a segment of fragmented forest measuring 200m x 100m in Costa Rica’s Taboga region. We coded one-minute audio recordings (n=1830) of the forest, with the goal of isolating capuchin vocalizations. For this study, we assessed the variance of vocal frequency among sympatric primates, capuchins and howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata), in addition to the yellow-naped parrot (Amazona auropalliata), to better understand the acoustic niche hypothesis. To parse through our large data set, we trained an AI-powered learning software (Kaleidoscope) to automate the identification of capuchin vocalizations from background animal and environmental interference. Our findings support the acoustic niche hypothesis, as suggested by our comparisons of the differing vocal structures between our primate and avian study species occupying the same territory. We conclude that evolutionary pressures within interspecies competition engenders vocal variability within animals occupying the same ecosystem.
