Human Evolution and the Musical Ape

Primates are vocally very limited and most of their calls calls are innate. Yet, from this unpromising background, the most musical animal on Earth evolved. What triggered the explosion and what maintains it? Surprises loom! Orians is Professor Emeritus of Biology, University of Washington. He has served as its Director of Environmental Studies. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1989 and to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1990. His most intensive research area has been behavioral ecology.