Communication in Owl Monkeys

Abstract

Although studying communication among nocturnal primates is particularly challenging, decades of research provide sufficient evidence to recognize that communication between owl monkey pair mates, among group members, and with individuals outside of the group is based on a variety of visual, tactile, auditory, and olfactory signals. Owl monkeys have evolved specialized morphology to facilitate communication, including a vocal sac and well-developed glandular regions used in scent-marking. Several aspects of communication also show some degree of dimorphism, particularly vocalizations, chemical deposits, and glandular morphology. Communication within the group may facilitate cohesion, coordination, travel, maintenance of the pair-bond, and development of relationships between adults and their young, possibly also mediating dispersal behavior. On the other hand, communication with individuals outside of the group, accomplished through indirect vocal and olfactory signals, or direct signals when visual and/or physical contact with neighboring groups or floaters occur, may aid in mate attraction or home range defense.