Metacommunication in social play: the meaning of aggression-like elements is modified by play face in Hanuman langurs (Semnopithecus entellus)

Abstract

The metacommunication hypothesis asserts that some elements of play behaviour are associated with play elements borrowed from aggression and interpret these aggression-like elements as playful. Using data from free living Hanuman langurs (Semnopithecus entellus), we tested three predictions that follow from the metacommunication hypothesis: (i) aggression-like elements (ALEs) abbreviate play bouts; (ii) candidate signal elements are sequentially associated with ALEs; (iii) associations of candidate signal elements with ALEs prolong play bouts. Play face and five other candidate signal elements were evaluated in relation to nine ALEs. We confirmed all three predictions for play face, albeit only if the play face and/or the ALEs occurred at the start of the play bout. The other candidate elements were not associated with ALEs. We conclude that play face fulfils the metacommunicatory function in Hanuman langur play bouts, while other play specific elements may serve other signal or non-signal functions.

Social play among juvenile wild Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) strengthens their social bonds

“…The social play of an individual during an OU was defined by active interactions between the focal individual and another individual(s), such as play‐fighting, play‐chasing, “tug‐of‐war” with an object, or taking an object from a holder, at least once, as described in previous studies (Petrů, Špinka, Lhota, & Šípek, ; Shimada, ; Špinka et al, ; Symons, ; Thierry, ). Because these different types of play interactions often occur sequentially (Fagen, ; Shimada, ; Symons, ), it was not possible for the observer to distinguish which individual participated in which type of interaction in each moment, especially when more than three individuals played socially at once.…”

Sharing playful mood: rapid facial mimicry in Suricata suricatta

“…Although play fighting can be distinguished from real fighting on the basis of a variety of features, such as the emphasis of the movements, the lack of inhibition, the random sequence of the motor patterns and the self-handicapping tactics (Burghardt 2005;Pellis et al 2010), in some cases ambiguity can arise and the prompt use of specific signals can avoid misunderstanding between players (Palagi et al 2018). The playfulness of a potentially dangerous pattern can be highlighted by specific gestures, gaits, vocalizations and facial expressions (Fagen 1981;Bekoff 2001;Panksepp and Burgdorf 2003;Palagi 2006;Yanagi and Berman 2014;Palagi et al 2015;Špinka et al 2016).…”

Playing it cool: Characterizing social play, bout termination, and candidate play signals of juvenile and infant Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) 

“…For example, the play face, also known as the relaxed open mouth face, is a frequently-observed play signal in primates and is commonly associated with close-quarter contact, which occurs during play fights ( Palagi et al, 2014 ; Pellis & Pellis, 1996 ; van Hooff, 1967 ). The intensity, rate, and timing of the play face can change with the intensity or behavioral content of the play interaction, thus acting as a flexible message to indicate playful intent while the dynamics of a bout quickly change ( Pellis & Pellis, 1996 ; Špinka et al, 2016 ; Symons, 1978 ; Waller & Cherry, 2012 ; Waller & Dunbar, 2005 ). This flexibility suggests that the play face is most likely multifunctional and may also work to modulate mood ( Pellis et al, 2011 ), invite a third party into the play bout, express playful intent to a third party, or act as a reward for both partners for playful engagement ( Spijkerman et al, 1996 ).…”