Science!

Whether referring to a politician, cheering on an athlete, or recounting what friends and family have been up to, names often crop up in everyday human communication. Now researchers say marmoset monkeys use similar labels.

Besides humans, only dolphins and elephants were previously known to use vocal labels for other members of their species.

But now scientists say they have found evidence of the behaviour in a non-human primate.


Dr David Omer, co-author of the research from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said: “We think that this behaviour is important for [marmosets’] social cohesion and therefore it’s crucial for their survival.”

“We predict that other non-human primates with the similar social structure of a monogamous family group may have developed similar behaviours.”

The team said the work could have other implications, too.

“Primate vocalisation was long thought to be genetically predetermined and inflexible, making it irrelevant to the evolution of human language,” said Omer. “Our findings, however, challenge this assumption.”…….

https://www.theguardian.com/science...r-specific-names-study?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other