Geissmann, T. & Orgeldinger, M. (2000). The relationship between duet songs and pair bonds in siamangs, Hylobates syndactylus. Animal Behaviour 60: 805-809.
T. Geissmann and M. Orgeldinger
Institute of Zoology, Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover
Key words: Duet; song; siamang; Hylobates
syndactylus; pair bond; gibbons.
Abstract: One of the most commonly cited functional explanations for animal
duet songs is strengthening of the pair bond. However, the evidence to support this
view is, at best, limited. The present study provides support by documenting a relationship
between pair bonds and duet singing in siamangs. As a working hypothesis, we assume
that if duetting were related to pair bonding, we might expect to see a relationship
between duetting intensity and indicators of pair bond strength. Like most gibbon
species, siamang pairs produce loud, long and well-coordinated duet songs. We recorded
daily frequency and duration of duetting and three generally accepted indicators
of pair bond strength (mutual grooming, behavioural synchronization and distance
between mates) in 10 siamang groups in zoos. Duetting activity was positively correlated
with grooming activity and behavioural synchronization, and negatively correlated
with distance between mates. These results suggest that the production of coordinated
duets by siamang pairs is related to pair bonding.
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