Dominance asymmetries shape vocal exchanges in meerkats

Abstract

Physical grooming is often used to maintain social bonds in animal groups, but opportunities to groom every group member may be limited. Vocal exchanges may provide an alternative way to sustain social ties without physical proximity. To explore the link between vocal exchanges and social relationships, we examined how dominance and dyadic bond strength influence the intensity of vocal interaction in meerkats (Suricata suricatta). Focusing on “sunning calls”, socially facilitated vocalizations produced when meerkats warm themselves in the sun, we conducted experiments in which we played sunning calls to individuals and recorded their responses. Overall, subordinate individuals increased their call rate in response to dominant calls, whereas dominant receivers showed little or no change. The effect of tie strength was weak overall but varied across dyad types, tending to be negative in dominant–subordinate pairs and slightly positive among subordinates. These results support the notion that sunning calls serve a social regulatory function, possibly acting as bonding or appeasing signals primarily directed toward dominants. The asymmetry between dominant and subordinate responses highlights the strategic nature of social relationships within a despotic society. Engaging in continuous reciprocal interactions may promote tolerance and reduce conflict; thus, investing in such interactions with influential dominants would align with the “vocal grooming” function of these exchanges. Future studies that causally link vocal interactions to long-term relationship outcomes will be key to understanding how such vocal exchanges complement physical affiliation across species.