Citation
Duet-splitting and the evolution of gibbon songs
TL;DR
Gibbons produce coordinated duets for territorial defense
Geissmann's comprehensive review of gibbon vocal behavior documented how gibbons coordinate elaborate duets for territorial defense and pair bonding. Males and females produce distinct but coordinated song elements, precisely timing their contributions to create unified territorial displays.
This research provides the biological foundation for understanding how organizations can coordinate multiple voices into coherent messaging. Like gibbon pairs, cross-functional teams must time their contributions to avoid overlap while reinforcing shared messages.
Key Findings from Geissmann (2002)
- Gibbons produce coordinated duets for territorial defense
- Males and females have distinct but complementary song elements
- Timing precision prevents overlap between pair members
- Songs serve multiple functions: territory, pair bonding, species recognition