Vocal repertoire of free‐ranging black howler monkeys’ (Alouatta pigra): Call types, contexts, and sex‐related contributions

Black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) exhibit a diverse and complex vocal repertoire, with 12 distinct call types identified in Palenque National Park, Mexico—four of which were previously undescribed. This study revealed that males contribute significantly more to the vocal repertoire during howling bouts, while females are the sole emitters of three specific call types. The research also categorized calls based on their functional roles, such as intra-group communication and inter-group interactions, and linked these patterns to socio-ecological factors. By analyzing free-ranging social groups, the study advanced understanding of primate vocalization dynamics, offering insights into sex-related contributions and contextual variations in howler monkey communication.

Briseño‐Jaramillo, M., Biquand, V., Estrada, A., & Lemasson, A. (2017). Vocal repertoire of free‐ranging black howler monkeys’ (Alouatta pigra): Call types, contexts, and sex‐related contributions. American Journal of Primatology, 79(5). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.22630