Marmoset monkeys use distinctive, whistle-like “phee calls” to address specific monkeys, similar to how humans use names, according to a study published on Thursday in the journal Science . The discovery adds marmosets to a short list of animals that appear to use names and possess social and vocal communication abilities that were once thought to be unique to humans. Bottlenose dolphins have “signature whistles,” and other dolphins imitate those to address specific individuals.
African elephants appear to name other elephants through subtle differences in rumbling noises, a recent study found. Naming individuals requires sophisticated cognitive abilities, said David Omer, a neuroscientist at Hebrew University of Jerusalem who led the study. Animals must map their social environment, distinguish between individuals and conjure a representation of the other animal in their minds.
The next step for his lab, he added, will be to identify the circuits in the brain that allow marmosets to do this..
