Geissmann, T., and Mutschler, T. (2006). Diurnal distribution of loud calls in sympatric wild indris (Indri indri) and ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata): Implications for call functions. Primates 47: 393-396.
Thomas Geissmann & Thomas Mutschler
Anthropological Institute, University Zürich-Irchel, Zürich, Switzerland
Key Words: calls, diurnal distribution, function
of calls, song, Madagascar.
Abstract: We carried out a short study on the diurnal call distribution of
two sympatric lemurs in the Réserve Naturelle Intégrale Zahamena (eastern
Madagascar). Whereas indris (Indri) song bouts were clearly concentrated in the early
morning hours, the roar/shriek choruses of ruffed lemurs (Varecia) exhibited a much
more even distribution throughout the day. These differences in distribution pattern
support earlier claims that indri song bouts are more likely to serve territorial
functions, whereas ruffed lemur loud calls may serve both spacing and/or alarm call
functions.
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