What have physical anthropologists discovered about vocalization in chimpanzee groups?

• A. Vocalizations in chimpanzee groups are only used during feeding and not for social interactions.
• B. All chimpanzee groups use identical vocalizations regardless of location.
• C. Chimpanzees do not use vocalizations to communicate within their groups.
• D. Chimpanzee vocalizations vary between groups, indicating the presence of learned communication patterns.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the role of physical anthropologists in studying vocalizations. Physical anthropologists examine the biological and behavioral aspects of humans and their closest relatives, such as chimpanzees, to understand evolutionary patterns.
2. Step 2: Recognize that vocalizations in chimpanzees are a form of communication. Vocalizations can serve various purposes, including social interactions, feeding, and alerting others to danger.
3. Step 3: Analyze the claim that chimpanzee vocalizations vary between groups. This suggests that vocalizations are not purely instinctual but may involve learned behaviors influenced by group dynamics and environmental factors.
4. Step 4: Compare this finding to the incorrect statements provided in the problem. For example, the idea that vocalizations are only used during feeding or that all groups use identical vocalizations contradicts the evidence of learned communication patterns.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the discovery of variation in vocalizations between chimpanzee groups highlights the complexity of their communication systems and supports the idea that these vocalizations are influenced by social learning and group-specific behaviors.