Evolutionary trade-off between vocal tract and testes dimensions in howler monkeys
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Authors
Dunn, Jacob C.
Halenar, Lauren B.
Davies, Thomas G.
Cristobal-Azkarate, Jurgi
Reby, David
Sykes, Dan
Dengg, Sabine
Fitch, W. Tecumseh
Knapp, Leslie A.
Issue Date
2015-11-02
Type
Article
Language
en
Keywords
precopulatory strategies , vocalizations , howler monkeys , hyoid bone
Alternative Title
Abstract
Males often face a trade-off between investments in precopulatory and postcopulatory traits [1], particularly when male-male contest competition determines access to mates [2]. To date, studies of precopulatory strategies have largely focused on visual ornaments (e.g., coloration) or weapon morphology (e.g., antlers, horns, and canines). However, vocalizations can also play an important role in both male competition and female choice [3–5]. We investigated variation in vocal tract dimensions among male howler monkeys (Alouatta spp.), which produce loud roars using a highly specialized and greatly enlarged hyoid bone and larynx [6]. We examined the relative male investment in hyoids and testes among howler monkey species in relation to the level of male-male competition and analyzed the acoustic consequences of variation in hyoid morphology. Species characterized by single-male groups have large hyoids and small testes, suggesting high levels of vocally mediated competition. Larger hyoids lower formant frequencies, probably increasing the acoustic impression of male body size and playing a role analogous to investment in large body size or weaponry. Across species, as the number of males per group increases, testes volume also increases, indicating higher levels of postcopulatory sperm competition, while hyoid volume decreases. These results provide the first evidence of an evolutionary tradeoff
between investment in precopulatory vocal characteristics and postcopulatory sperm production.
Description
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Citation
Publisher
Cell Press