My research interest lies in understanding the evolutionary, ecological, and social processes and learning mechanisms of primate communication, especially in the vocal mode. Vocal communication is a fundamental component for understanding animal behavior, especially in species that live in complex societies, such as primates. There is now plenty of evidence that primates have some degree of vocal flexibility, that they are able to modify the acoustic structure of some of their calls, and that vocal signals are used in intentional and referential ways. However, little systematic and comparative research has been carried out to understand how non-human primates acquire their communicative skills.

I have conducted diverse field studies that aimed to elucidate several aspects of the ecology, behavior, vocal communication, and grouping patterns of different neotropical primate species, as brown spider monkeys (Ateles hybridus), red uakaris (Cacajao calvus), and woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagothricha lugens).

My PhD will explore the vocal learning in sooty mangabeys (Cercocebus atys) by using observational and experimental methods to investigate how call structure and sound-meaning linkages are established and socially learned in sooty mangabeys. This research is part of a broad project investigating through a comparative approach how primates acquire the ability to socially learn to communicate. This project will be part of the Taï Monkey Project and the field work will be carried out at Taï National Park, Ivory Coast.

Publications

2022. León J, Thiriau C, Bodin C, Crockford C & Zuberbühler K. Acquisition of predator knowledge from alarm calls via one-trial social learning in monkeys. iScience. Volume 25, Issue 9, p. 104853 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2022.104853
 
2022. Zuberbühler K, León J, Deshpande A & Quintero F. Socially scripted vocal learning in primates. Curr. Opin. Behav. Sci., 46, p. 101153, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2022.101153
 
2021. Decellieres M, Zuberbühler K. & León J. Habitat-dependent intergroup hostility in Diana monkeys (Cercopithecus diana). Animal Behavior. Volume 178, p. 95-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.06.001

2014. León J, Vargas S, Ramírez MA, Galvis NF, Cifuentes EF. & Stevenson P. Vocal Communication in Woolly Monkeys (Lagothrix lagothricha lugens) in Cueva de los Guácharos National Park, Colombia. In: Defler T & Stevenson P, Editors. The Woolly Monkey: Behavior, Ecology, Systematics and Captive Research. ed: Springer-Verlag, New York, USA. p.187-205. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4939-0697-0_11

2014. Vargas S, León J, Ramírez MA, Galvis NF, Cifuentes EF. & Stevenson P. Population Density and Ecological Traits of Highland Woolly Monkeys at Cueva de los Guácharos National Park, Colombia. In: Grow NB, Gursky-Doyen S & Krzton A, Editors. High Altitude Primates. ed: Springer-Verlag, New York, USA. p. 85-102. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4614-8175-1_5

2014. Ramírez MA, Galvis NF, León J, Vargas S, Cifuentes EF. & Stevenson P. Seed Dispersal by Woolly Monkeys in Cueva de los Guácharos National Park (Colombia): An Amazonian Primate Dispersing Montane Plants. In: Grow, N. B., Gursky-Doyen S & Krzton A, Editors. High Altitude Primates. ed: Springer-Verlag, New York, USA. p. 103-114. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4614-8175-1_6

2013. León J. & Link A. "Repertorio vocal de los monos araña café (Ateles hybridus)" [Vocal repertoire of brown spider monkeys (Ateles hybridus)]. In: Defler T, Stevenson P, Bueno M & Guzmán C, Editors. Primates Colombianos en Peligro de Extinción. ed: Asociación Primatológica Colombiana, Colombia. Pp. 281-293. https://www.asoprimatologicacolombiana.org/uploads/1/1/4/7/11474090/le%C3%B3n_link_2013_-_pcpe_cap%C3%ADtulo_18.pdf

2013. Cifuentes EF, Ramírez MA, León J, Galvis NF, Vargas S. & Stevenson P. "Dieta de los churucos colombianos (Lagothrix lagothricha lugens) en relación con la productividad de frutos en el Parque Nacional Natural Cueva de los Guácharos" [Diet of Colombian woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagothricha lugens) in relation with the fruit productivity in the National Park Cueva de los Guácharos]. In: Defler T, Stevenson P, Bueno M & Guzmán C, Editors. Primates Colombianos en Peligro de Extinción. ed: Asociación Primatológica Colombiana, Colombia. Pp. 294-312. https://www.asoprimatologicacolombiana.org/uploads/1/1/4/7/11474090/cifuentes_et_al_2013_-_pcpe_cap%C3%ADtulo_19.pdf