Lemurs singing 'We Will Rock You' says University of Warwick professor
Lemurs have been found to sing in rhythms similar to human music
Last updated 26th Jun 2024
Lemurs could be the key to figuring out where human music originated, according to a new study by the University of Warwick.
A study of 820 songs from 51 Indris lemurs found that they communicate using songs or rhythms which are uncannily similar to our own music.
Dr Chiara De Gregorio, who authored the study, said: "Some of the rhythms they're using are actually the same ones used in the intro of the song 'We Will Rock You' by Queen, in the stomp-stomp-clap."
Lemur families also come together to sing specific songs to mark their territory, which then helps them to form social bonds.
Dr De Gregorio said: "As humans we dance together, we sing together and that's something which makes us feel close to other people, and it's also the same in animals.
"We found not only a general beat but also several specific rhythmic structures which define our music; this is ground-breaking.
"The rhythms we are using in our music today are more or less the same rhythms used in the music-making of lemurs."
Researchers found 'isochrony' in their songs, whereby time between sounds or notes are equal, forming a consistent rhythm or beat similar to modern music.
Now that the link between the calls of our primates and our music has been established, it is hoped we can learn more about exactly how those calls evolved into the music we know today.