Decisions to Communicate in Primate Ecological and Social Landscapes

Abstract

In many species, communication is anything but the effortless task it appears. While many animals communicate with apparent ease, there are serious challenges that need to be overcome for effective signal production and reception. Primates, like many species, are faced with communicative barriers in both their ecological and social landscapes. The ecological landscape is often cluttered with biotic and abiotic noise as potential sources of signal masking and degradation, while the social landscape is riddled with the nuances of the complex relationships that exist between individuals. Here, we consider how different facets of these landscapes pose challenges for communication and discuss research examining how common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) overcome these obstacles. We emphasize the importance of decision-making and behavioral flexibility with regard to if and when vocalizations are produced in order to optimize effective communication. The strategies presented here are likely to exist across other primate species and reflect the broader social cognitive mechanisms within the primate Order.