Enjoy the beautiful scene of Music sounds as Maria and von Trapp’s children sing about the lonely Jasteld Jodel in the Austrian Alps (lay-ee-odl-lay-ee-odl-lay-hee-hoo).
Despite the picturesque moment, I was unfamiliar with these characters. Comparing their yodeling to that of monkeys in the rainforest of Latin America, it seems somewhat embarrassing.
Recent research conducted by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and the University of Vienna in collaboration with experts from Japan, Sweden, and Bolivia sheds light on this topic.
Through recordings and analysis of black and gold Howler monkeys, tufted capuchins, black-cap squirrel monkeys, and Peruvian spider monkeys at Randa Verde Wildlife Reserve in Bolivia, scientists discovered that these primates can jump three or more musical octaves at once, unlike human yodelers who span sub-octaves.
Dr. Jacob Dunn, an associate professor of evolutionary biology at ARU, highlighted how these voice leaps contribute to the primates’ communication abilities in complex social settings.
The unique vocalizations known as “ultra yodels” are made possible by the distinct anatomy of the monkey’s throat, specifically the vocal membrane. This thin tissue ribbon allows for extended pitch ranges, enhancing the monkeys’ vocal repertoire.
The evolution of monkeys’ vocal membranes contrasts with human vocal abilities, as they enhance pitch range but may lead to voice instability.
Capuchin Monkeys are known for their intelligence and tool use
While humans yodel by shifting between voice registers, monkeys utilize vocal membranes to produce complex vocal patterns without the need for intricate neural control.
Not all monkeys excel at yodeling, with Latin American monkeys displaying a particular proficiency due to their vocal membranes. This suggests the importance of these calls for certain species.
Apes and monkeys have special anatomy in their throats Voice membraneit disappeared from humans through evolution, allowing for more stable speech. However, the exact benefits these offer to non-human primates were previously unknown. New research provides important new insights Various vocal sounds It reveals for the first time how nonhuman primates and certain calls are generated.
The range from Mexico to Argentina has been found to have evolved the largest vocal membranes of all primates, suggesting that these thin tissue ribbons play a particularly important role in the repertoire of vocal production and calling. This image shows the black and gold Howler monkeys (Alouatta Caraya). Image credit: Jacob Dunn of Anglia Ruskin University.
Humans have evolved their ability to speak, but apes and monkeys, closest relatives in the animal kingdom, lack this skill.
However, they have a special anatomy in the larynx that humans have lost during their evolution: a thin, lightweight tissue membrane at the top of the crease of the voice.
Previous studies have suggested that these structures contribute to the complexity of animal vocalization, but their precise roles remain largely unclear to date.
The new study, led by researchers at Anglia Ruskin University and the University of Vienna, shows that these membranes promote rapid frequency transitions and significantly expand the range and complexity of monkey vocalization.
Scientists documented and studied the appeals of various primate species at the La Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary in Bolivia.Alouatta Caraya), tufted cappuchin (Sapaju Appella), black capped squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis), and Peruvian spider monkeys (Atheres Chamek).
A combination of methods was used to identify two different modes of vocal fold vibration.
The first mode, which involves only the folding of the voice, produces a low-frequency sound similar to human ponation.
The second mode, which also involves the vocal membrane, results in much higher frequency oscillations, and, like human yodel, produces dramatic “mutation.”
In some cases, these shifts span octaves over 3 octaves. This goes far beyond the human ability of voice breaks, usually limited to a single octave.
“This is an attractive example of how nature offers a means to enrich animal vocalization despite the lack of language,” says Dr. Christian Herbst, a researcher at the University of Vienna.
“The production of these complex vocal patterns is almost possible by the way the animal’s larynx is anatomically shaped, and does not require the complex neural control produced by the brain.”
“These results show how monkeys can exploit new evolutionary features that can generate a wider range of calls, including these ultra-yodel,” says Jacob Dunn, a researcher at Anglia Ruskin University.
“This may be especially important for primates who have complex social lives and need to communicate in a variety of ways.”
This study further suggests that the vocal membrane also introduces vocal instability while enhancing the pitch range.
“Our research shows that the vocal membrane extends the pitch range of monkeys, but it also makes the voice unstable,” says Dr. Tecumse Fitch, a researcher at the University of Vienna.
“They may have been lost during human evolution to promote stability in the pitch of songs and speech.”
study Published in the journal Philosophical trade of the Royal Society b.
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Christian T. Herbst et al. 2025. “Monkey Yodel” – The new world’s frequency jumps far outweigh the human vocal register transition. fill. transformer. R. Soc. b 380 (1923): 20240005; doi: 10.1098/rstb.2024.0005
During the Stone Age, the operation of stone tools provides evidence that it was not exclusive to humans, despite the popular image of early humans sitting around campfires or hunting. Even wild chimpanzees ( Pantosloid ) have been observed using stones to open nuts. They place a nut on a flat rock (called an anvil) and strike it with another stone (a hammer), or sometimes with a thick branch.
Research from Africa’s Tai National Park shows that chimpanzees have been using these tools for over 4,000 years. This suggests that the use of stone tools may be a trait inherited from common ancestors, although it’s also possible that different species learned this independently.
Other primates, like capuchin monkeys in Brazil and long-tailed macaques in Thailand, have also been observed using hammer and anvil technology. The capuchin monkeys take up to eight years to master the skill, using stones weighing up to 1 kg (2.2 pounds) to crack nuts, with evidence of this behavior dating back at least 3000 years.
While humans are known for using more advanced stone tools, animals also have their own versions – Credit: Mikroman6
Stone tools are not exclusive to primates either. Otters use stones to crack open shellfish and extract sea snails, while crows in New Caledonia drop hard nuts from heights onto anvils to open and access the contents.
Although stone tool use was once thought to be unique to Homo sapiens, archaeologists have found evidence of stone tool use by earlier human species like Homo habilis. Stone tool manufacturing remains a key aspect of human evolution, connecting ancient actions with the use of these tools. The discovery of other primates using stone tools challenges some of the oldest archaeological sites.
In 2022, archaeologists in Argentina proposed the idea that stone tools found in Brazil 50,000 years ago might have been created by capuchin monkeys, not humans. The quartz tools are similar to those created by present-day capuchin monkeys.
The use of stone tools by monkeys raises questions regarding the origins of tool use between humans and monkeys – CREDIT: chain45154
If these ancient tools were indeed made by monkeys, it would extend the timeline of their stone tool use by thousands of years and raise questions about when Homo sapiens arrived in South America.
Archeologists have also noted similarities between monkey-made stone fragments and human cutting tools, suggesting that early humans may have been influenced by accidental creations to develop their own tools. The discovery raises questions about the origins of the oldest stone tool artifacts.
This article answers the question, “Are we the only species to have passed the Stone Age?” posed by Juanita Andrade via email.
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Proboscis monkeys are renowned for their loud, bulbous calls and are among the most famous primates in the world. Contrary to popular belief, their noses are not so large that they need to be held under their arms when eating. They have a healthy diet.
Endemic to the Southeast Asian island of Borneo, these Old World monkeys are known for their social and friendly nature. They live in troops, with a harem group consisting of dominant males, females, and young males, while bachelor groups may include males and sometimes females.
These monkeys inhabit mangrove swamps and forests near rivers, where they feed on fruits, seeds, and leaves. They prefer unripe fruits due to the high sugar content in ripe fruits, which can cause their already plump bellies to swell further.
Baby proboscis monkeys are born with bright blue faces and black fur, but gradually change to their adult colors as they grow – Photo credit: Getty
They are unique among primates for regurgitating and re-chewing their food (rumination) and have multiple-chambered stomachs similar to cows. The bacteria in their stomachs aid in digesting tough foods and detoxifying them.
Everything about these monkeys is large, from their stomachs accounting for a quarter of their body weight to their long limbs and tails. Males can weigh up to 24 kg (about 52 lbs) and have large noses, earning them the nickname “Orang Branda” or “Dutchman” from local Malays.
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It turns out that female proboscis monkeys prefer males with large noses, which can grow up to 17 cm (6.5 inches) in length. This trait is sexually selected, with women showing a preference for males with bigger noses due to its association with body quality and vocalization. The size of the nose indicates fertility and influences the male’s success in attracting females.
Interestingly, males with larger noses also tend to have smaller canine teeth, despite the lack of territorial aggression in proboscis monkeys. Troops of monkeys often interact, and members may move between groups, gathering at night to sleep in the same areas.
Proboscis monkeys are adept swimmers with partially webbed limbs, using a splash-free dog paddle to navigate their habitat. Their main threat comes from human activities like deforestation for timber and agriculture, leading to a drastic decline in their population.
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Popular fiction often includes the notion that given enough time, a monkey with a typewriter could recreate the works of William Shakespeare. However, two Australian mathematicians have debunked this idea as unrealistic.
The infinite monkey theorem suggests that given infinite time, a monkey could randomly type out Shakespeare’s plays. This concept has been widely used in popular culture, from “The Simpsons” to “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.”
In a paper authored by two academics from the University of Technology Sydney, it was established that even if monkeys worked tirelessly to replicate Shakespeare’s works, the universe is more likely to end before they succeed. The study will appear in the December 2024 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Franklin Open.
Stephen Woodcock, an associate professor at the university and one of the paper’s authors, explained that the mathematical concept of infinity can lead to erroneous conclusions in the real world. They concluded that even under the most generous assumptions about monkeys’ typing speed, the likelihood of them reproducing Shakespeare’s works is nearly impossible within the lifespan of the universe.
The paper introduces a “heat death” theory as the end of the universe, which would occur before a monkey could realistically achieve the feat. However, critics argue that by imposing a time limit, the essence of the “infinite” theory is lost.
The study calculates that a monkey with a 30-letter keyboard has only a 5% chance of typing the word “banana” in its lifetime. This contrasts with Shakespeare’s 884,421-word complete works, of which “banana” is not included.
While some scholars believe the theorem is a common theoretical concept and have dismissed the need to debunk it, the authors expressed surprise at being the first to formally challenge it. The likelihood of a monkey typing even a short phrase like “I am a chimpanzee, therefore I exist” is extremely low, making the proposed theory highly improbable.
Ultimately, the study suggests that the notion of monkeys reproducing Shakespeare’s works is highly unlikely and may need to be reconsidered in light of mathematical and scientific principles.
The British sense of humor is cherished among Brits, but it’s natural to assume that many British jokes may be embarrassing to other cultures. There is an interesting point to consider here – humor is not universal. What one finds amusing is not inherent, but rather cultural.
Humor differs significantly from laughter, which is a common experience for all human beings, even the grumpiest ones. Laughter is much easier to comprehend and study scientifically.
For instance, TV producers have long understood that incorporating a pre-recorded “laugh track” can make people perceive something as funnier compared to when they don’t hear that laughter (I’m Looking at You, 90’s Sitcom). However, neuroscientist Robert Provine found that jokes are not even necessary. In a study conducted in 2013, Provine solely played the laugh track, which surprisingly was adequate to induce laughter in nearly all participants.
Provine’s groundbreaking research on laughter involved observing it in real-world settings rather than just in a lab. Observing people laughing in public, he empirically proved that individuals are significantly more likely to laugh in the presence of others than when alone, approximately 30 times more likely. Moreover, laughter is not necessarily a response to finding something funny but serves as a form of social communication, indicating a positive, nonthreatening interaction.
Laughter is not exclusive to humans; it is observed across the animal kingdom. For example, apes enjoy being tickled and vocalize their enjoyment while playing. Kea parrots are known for their playful behaviors and have distinct calls to amuse others. Additionally, mice produce ultrasonic giggles when playing. Rats tickled regularly by their owners exhibit immediate laughter upon the owner’s arrival, displaying excitement for playtime.
Powered by Galaxy AI to provide resourceful assistance Thanks to the Chat Assist feature on the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6, Galaxy AI analyzes your chats and messages in real-time and displays contextual suggestions as you type to help craft the perfect reply. Therefore, choosing a casual tone is likely to include lighter and wittier touches.
However, humor poses a greater challenge in understanding. What makes certain things more amusing than others? And how do you define what is considered amusing, depending on individual perspectives?
One compelling explanation for humor is that it involves the buildup and release of tension. This concept can explain some well-known comedic moments, such as Del Boy falling on the bar, Basil Fawlty hitting a car with a tree branch, or Mark Simmons’ joke at the Edinburgh Fringe: “I planned to sail around the world in the smallest ship, but chickened out.” These instances are humorous, especially when viewed from a non-human perspective.
Generative AI, trained on vast internet data, is adept at replicating various humor styles, including generating jokes based on given parameters. When prompted with a framework like, “I thought I was going to sail around the world in the world’s smallest ship…”, an AI chatbot replied, “I felt like I was sinking.” Not a bad attempt, right?
However, creating the framework itself, i.e., original humor, involves distilling quirky and unconventional ideas that resonate with shared human experiences but lack any firsthand experience of the world beyond online sources. For now, these unique concepts offer intriguing ways to engage with audiences.
After many years and many attempts, a healthy rhesus monkey was finally created by cloning. The clone was born in China on July 16, 2020, but its existence has only now been revealed.
“The cloned rhesus macaque is now 3 years old,” team members say Fallon Lu at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing. “So far, no health problems have been found during routine medical examinations.”
However, because the monkeys were cloned from fetal cells rather than adult cells, the embryos had to be provided with a non-cloned placenta. Therefore, despite this progress, primate cloning remains extremely difficult. As a result, apart from ethical and legal issues, it may not yet be technically possible to clone an adult.
Cloning is the creation of an individual that is genetically identical to another individual. Cloning plants is easy, but for most animals it is much more difficult.
Dolly the sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult cell, was born in 1996. Since then, researchers have attempted to clone many mammalian species, with mixed results.
In some cases, cloning works relatively well.A Korean team created a clone over 1500 dogs For example, so far, success rates remain low, with fewer than 4 percent of cloned embryos leading to live births. In many other mammalian species, cloning either fails completely or produces unhealthy animals.
The main problem is that as cells in the body develop and become specialized, various so-called epigenetic markers are added to the DNA in order to turn certain genes on or off. When adult cells are cloned into empty eggs, they usually contain the wrong epigenetic markers.
Primates (a group that includes apes such as monkeys and humans) have proven particularly difficult to treat. There have been several previous reports of monkey clones, but each case so far has come with major warnings.
For example, the rhesus macaque born in 1999 is sometimes described as the first primate clone, but this individual was created not by cloning adult cells like Dolly, but by creating identical twins. It was created by splitting the embryo, as is done.
The most successful attempt to date was the birth of two long-tailed macaques in 2017. The researchers behind this study used a chemical cocktail to help reset epigenetic markers, but they were still able to clone only fetal cells, not adult cells.
Lu's team tried applying the same cocktail to rhesus macaques, but the only clone produced this way did not survive. The researchers concluded that the abnormalities in the cloned placenta were partially to blame, and decided to transplant the part of the early embryo that turns into a fetus (the inner cell mass) into a non-cloned embryo, where the inner cell mass forms. Developed new technology. Cell clumps were removed.
This means that the cloned fetus develops within a non-cloned placenta that is genetically distinct from it. Theoretically, the resulting fetuses could be a mixture of clonal and non-clonal cells, but the researchers found no evidence of such chimerism.
But even with the help of this complex technique, the researchers have so far only cloned fetal cells and not adult cells. In other words, healthy primates have not yet been created by cloning adult cells.
This means that whether it is possible to clone adults remains an open question. Lu wouldn't speculate on whether his team's technique would help.
“The act of cloning humans is completely unacceptable. We don't think about this,” he says.
Shukrat Mitalipov A professor at Oregon Health & Science University, who also works on cloning but was not involved in the study, says it's unclear whether the technology will help create cloned humans. “Aside from ethical issues, it is unclear whether there is any humanity. [cloned] “The fetus has placental abnormalities,” Mitalipov said.
Lu says the purpose of primate cloning is to advance research. “Rhesus monkeys are important and commonly used non-human primate laboratory animals in cognitive and biomedical research,” he says.
Meanwhile, Mitalipov's aim is to use cloning to generate stem cells that are compatible with individual treatments. “In our case, one day doctors will be able to use non-rejection, genetically compatible embryonic stem cells to replace diseased nerve, muscle, blood and other cells, or to produce eggs for infertility treatment. I hope we can produce it,” he says.
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