Marmosets were chosen for this research as, unlike other chimps and our closest cousins, they tend to be very vocal.
"The recordings revealed that the marmosets would wait for about five seconds after the other finished calling to respond - seemingly following "unspoken rules of conversational etiquette". - Lead researcher, Daniel Takahashi.It is also believed that these calls contain information that requires digestion by the receiving individual, also much like conversation had between two human beings.
Researchers believe that this may show an alternative route for the evolution of our own communication and hope that, by furthering their studies, they can begin to understand the breakdown of our own conversation.
It seems us humans could learn a thing or two about basic manners and conversation etiquette...and from a monkey!
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