A study by University of Warwick researchers reveals that Madagascan indris, known as ‘singing lemurs,’ have a unique sense of rhythm in their alarm calls, sharing similarities with human music patterns and indicating a deep-rooted evolutionary trait. The findings shed light on the ancient origins of rhythmic communication in primates, highlighting the significance of indris’ vocal rhythms despite their critical endangerment.
Singing Lemurs Exhibit Rhythmic Alarm Calls
Researchers from the University of Warwick have discovered that Madagascan indris, also known as “singing lemurs,” produce rhythmic alarm calls resembling car honks to alert about dangers. These calls demonstrate a distinct sense of rhythm, a trait only previously observed in humans, songbirds, and gibbons.
The study, published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, involved recording the songs and calls of 51 lemurs in five rainforest areas in Madagascar. The findings suggest that the ability to produce and perceive rhythm is more ancient and widespread than previously assumed.
Dr. Chiara De Gregorio from Warwick’s Department of Psychology noted that rhythmic ability is “deeply rooted in our evolutionary journey”. The research team proposes that rhythmic communication might have been a foundational element in early primate interactions, predating human speech and music.
The research showed that indris use specific alarm calls for different types of predators: “honks” for land predators and “roars” for aerial threats. These alarm rhythms, categorized into 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1, overlap with fundamental rhythm patterns in human music. This positions indris as notable among animals for their shared vocal rhythms with humans.
Despite their remarkable communication abilities, indris are critically endangered and do not fare well in captivity, raising concerns about their long-term survival.
