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Innovative multi-material tool use in the pant-hoot display of a chimpanzee

Authors :
Watson, Stuart K; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1150-6288
Lambeth, Susan P; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9201-321X
Schapiro, Steven J; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5406-1739
Watson, Stuart K; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1150-6288
Lambeth, Susan P; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9201-321X
Schapiro, Steven J; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5406-1739
Source :
Watson, Stuart K; Lambeth, Susan P; Schapiro, Steven J (2022). Innovative multi-material tool use in the pant-hoot display of a chimpanzee. Scientific Reports, 12:20605.
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

‘Pant-hoot displays’ are a species-typical, multi-modal communicative behaviour in chimpanzees in which pant-hoot vocalisations are combined with varied behavioural displays. In both captivity and the wild, individuals commonly incorporate striking or throwing elements of their environment into these displays. In this case study, we present five videos of an unenculturated, captive, adult male chimpanzee combining a large rubber feeding tub with excelsior (wood wool) in a multi-step process, which was then integrated into the subject’s pant-hoot displays as a percussive tool or ‘instrument’. During the construction process, the subject demonstrated an understanding of the relevant properties of these materials, ‘repairing’ the tub to be a more functional drum when necessary. We supplement these videos with a survey of care staff from the study site for additional detail and context. Although care must be taken in generalising data from a single individual, the behaviour reported here hints at three intriguing features of chimpanzee communicative cognition: (1) it suggests a degree of voluntary control over vocal production, (2) it is a so-far unique example of compound tool innovation and use in communicative behaviour and (3) it may represent an example of forward planning in communicative behaviour. Each of these would represent hitherto undocumented dimensions of flexibility in chimpanzee communication, mapping fertile ground for future research.

Details

Database :
OAIster
Journal :
Watson, Stuart K; Lambeth, Susan P; Schapiro, Steven J (2022). Innovative multi-material tool use in the pant-hoot display of a chimpanzee. Scientific Reports, 12:20605.
Notes :
application/pdf, info:doi/10.5167/uzh-225637, English, English
Publication Type :
Electronic Resource
Accession number :
edsoai.on1443049730
Document Type :
Electronic Resource