Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Broadfield, Douglas C.

Abstract

Chimpanzees have long been documented as using population-specific vocalizations, implying learning rather than just genetics in chimpanzee calls. In order for population-specific vocalizations to arise, diachronic change, or evolution, of the various features of the vocalizations must occur. When a population is split, as they were in the current study, there are changes of social structure, environment, and emotional stress (all factors which can lead to rapid phonological change in humans). These factors can act as a catalyst for punctuated diachronic change. A vocal survey was performed on two groups of chimpanzees who had been separated from each other two years prior to the research. The results of the survey revealed significant differences between the two groups' vocalizations. These results make a case for diachronic change in chimpanzee vocalizations, the seed of population-specific calls.

Extent

445 p.

Comments

Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters|Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2007.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters

Identifier

FA00000982

Format

pdf

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