by You probably already know that primates and humans are generally very similar, and that humans and chimpanzees actually share a surprising 98% of their DNA.
However, recent research on primates has shown that marmosets not only share some of our DNA and idiosyncrasies, but actually exhibit behavior that we would consider very human and that is essential to their communication.
According to research, these monkeys actually give each other names and call each other by those names.
This is not actually innate human behavior, but also a typical behavior of elephants and dolphins. However, according to IFL Science, scientists have long wondered whether primates are also capable of this.
To find out, scientists studied natural conversations between pairs of common marmosets and interactions between monkeys and a computer. They found that the animals have specific vocalizations that are associated with individuals. This process is called “vocal marking.”
The sounds that marmosets make when they call each other by name are called “phee calls.” The scientists’ exciting discovery showed that marmosets can not only address others by name, but can also respond to their names.
A personalized call and response system that we didn’t even know was possible!
In addition, the monkeys have been found to use similar names within their social groups and families, just like humans do. This even occurs between adult marmosets who are not blood related, which, according to the scientists, suggests that they could be taught other names and dialects even outside their own circles.
In a statement, David Omer of the Safra Center for Brain Sciences said: “Marmosets live in small monogamous family groups and care for their offspring together, similar to humans
“These similarities suggest that they faced similar evolutionary social challenges as our early pre-linguistic ancestors, which may have led them to develop similar methods of communication.”
Incredible.
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