Singing Lemurs Share Ancient Musical Heritage with Humans

[Judi Lynn]

June 28, 2024
Sam Anderson



If you invented music, maybe you'd look like this, too. An Indri in Mantadia National Park, Madagascar. Photo: David Cook via Flickr

Singing has served as one of the world’s main forms of communication for birds, whales, and of course humans. But a new study shows that at least for one variety of tree-dwelling primate, it’s the same old song and dance.

One specific type of lemur makes sounds that bear a striking resemblance to human song. Because Madagascan indris use vocal rhythms that sync up with some of our most foundational beats, researchers think they might be the link to the origin of human singing.

Of course, many other animals communicate by singing. But the new study, published in the journal Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, explains how indris use a singular rhythmic pattern called isochrony to transmit alarm signals.

More:
https://explorersweb.com/singing-lemurs-use-music-like-humans/

[brush]

1. There's a startling audio/visual file at the link. Well worth checking out.

[Judi Lynn]

8. So good to hear their voices, at long last. Their sound is as distinctive and interesting as their faces!

Thank you.

[Celerity]

2. The duet of the indris: the female is singing with the reproductive male (out of view) and her son.

[Dem2theMax]

3. I live in an area that has lots of wild animals.

The next time the coyotes start howling, I'm going to go outside and play this, and see what they do!

[StarryNite]

4. Amazingly beautiful.

[electric_blue68]

6. That was interesting ! Esp following the patterns on the video, along w the vocals.

[Judi Lynn]

7. Thank you, so much! It's wonderful.

The cat living with me started meowing immediately after hearing the lemurs starting to sing, in a tone very similar. It was impossible trying to not to think she was responding directly to their communication.

[scarletlib]

5. Thanks for another great article.

[Judi Lynn]

9. I was surprised finding it. Had no idea prior. Thank you, scarletlib.