Sexual selection and adaptive function of gibbon vocalizations: Do testosterone-driven males sing their own praises, but pay a cost in immuno competence?

长臂猿发声的性选择和适应性功能：睾丸激素驱动的雄性是否会歌颂自己，但会付出免疫能力的代价？

• 批准号: 144140138
• 负责人: Dr. Michael Heistermann
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Deutsches Primatenzentrum GmbH - Leibniz-Institut für Primatenforschung (DPZ)
• 依托单位国家: 德国
• 项目类别: Research Grants
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 德国
• 起止时间: 2008-12-31 至 2011-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gepris.dfg.de/gepris/projekt/144140138?language=en
• 关键词: Sexual; selection; adaptive; function; gibbon

Among mammals, elaborate vocalizations are quite rare. However, one of the best known exceptions are the gibbons (Hylobatidae), the small and agile apes of South-East Asia. In this primate group, both sexes sing but while females utter stereotyped songs, males sing elaborate solos, the function of which still remains enigmatic. Sex differences in gibbons’ songs suggest that it may have evolved by providing males with the most elaborate song with a reproductive advantage over their rivals. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate whether sexual selection has driven the evolution of male vocalizations in a population of wild white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar). The population we will investigate presents the uniqueness of a very large number of habituated animals which live in both socially monogamous and polyandrous group. We will investigate whether and to what extent male vocalizations vary between males and whether they may function as sexual signal. In particular, by using non-invasive methodologies, We will (i) test males for testosterone levels and examine whether their physiological characteristics may drive variation in the acoustic structure of male song; by measuring gibbons’ parasite load, we will (ii) assess whether male singing serves to advertise physical condition; and (iii) we investigate, using genetic paternity analysis, whether variation in ‘song quality’ is related to variation in male reproductive success.

在哺乳动物中，复杂的发声是相当罕见的。然而，最著名的例外之一是长臂猿（长臂猿科），东南亚的小型敏捷猿。在这个灵长类动物群体中，两性都唱歌，但当雌性发出定型的歌曲时，雄性唱精心制作的独奏，其功能仍然是谜。长臂猿歌声中的性别差异表明，它可能是通过为雄性提供最精致的歌声而进化的，这种歌声比它们的竞争对手具有繁殖优势。因此，本研究的目的是调查性选择是否驱动了野生白手长臂猿（长臂猿）种群中雄性发声的进化。我们将要研究的种群呈现出一个非常大数量的习惯性动物的独特性，这些动物生活在社会性的一夫一妻制和一妻多夫制的群体中。我们将调查男性发声是否以及在多大程度上在男性之间变化，以及它们是否可以作为性信号。特别是，通过使用非侵入性的方法，我们将（i）测试雄性的睾丸激素水平，并检查他们的生理特征是否可以驱动雄性歌声的声学结构的变化;通过测量长臂猿的寄生虫负荷，我们将（ii）评估雄性歌声是否有助于宣传身体状况;以及（iii）我们使用遗传亲子分析来调查“歌声质量”的变化是否与雄性繁殖成功的变化有关。