Vocalisations of Captive Guinea Baboons by Caralyn Kemp (Labex BLRI)
As part of a larger study investigating vocal production in Guinea baboons, I have been examining the vocalisations of a captive group at the CNRS primate station in Rousset. The main goal of this aspect of the project was to produce a large-scale database in order to 1) characterise the vocal repertoire of this baboon species, 2) determine the acoustic features of the vocalisations, and 3) test the descriptive adequacy of existing categories. Twelve vocalisations were distinguishable by ear, but not all vocalisations were produced by all age and sex groups. A single vocalisation type could occur in different contexts and some vocalisations had a large degree of variability. This database will be useful for new researchers and care staff who work with Guinea baboons in captivity as well as aiding in our understanding of the evolution of vocal communication between baboon taxa and within the primate genera.
