Research Article

Hand preference in wild crab‐eating capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) in the coastal area of Northest Brazil

Published: 2023-11

Journal: American Journal of Primatology

DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23546

Abstract

Handedness is a fundamental human trait, although recent research, especially on nonhuman primates, has shown that it is displayed by other animals as well (e.g., chimpanzees, gorillas). In this study, we explore hand preference in wild crab‐eating tufted capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) inhabiting a mangrove forest located on the coastal area of Northeast Brazil (Maranhão State). Tufted capuchin monkeys at our site use facultatively wooden tools to crack open crabs. We observed hand preference in 12 subjects who spontaneously participated in experiment sessions, in which we provided crabs and tools on wooden platforms. We recorded (using events and bouts) two unimanual tasks, (tool or crab) grabbing and (tool or crab) pounding, and one bimanual task, crab pulling, where one hand kept the crab in place while the other pulled off parts of the crab. Hand preference increased with greater strength needed to perform the task and its complexity. While only 17%−25% of capuchins showed hand preference during grabbing, 44%−64% showed hand preference during pounding, and most subjects 64%−80% displayed a right‐hand preference when performing the bimanual task, for which all lateralized individuals were right‐handed. Hand preference did not vary between adults and juvenile individuals and was not consistent across tasks. Group‐level hand preference was found only for the bimanual task, for which all lateralized individuals were right‐handed. Our findings are in concordance with those of other primate studies showing the emergence of hemispheric specialization for bimanual actions, highlight the importance of conducting such studies on diverse type of tasks, and show the feasibility to conduct experimental manipulation under natural conditions.

Faculty Members

  • Kristie Le - Department of Anthropology University of Georgia Athens Georgia USA
  • Daiana P. Conceição - Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Biodiversidade e Conservação, Universidade Federal do Maranhão São Luís Brazil
  • Andrea Presotto - Mangrove Primate Center Maranhão State BrazilDepartment of Geography and Geosciences Salisbury University Salisbury Maryland USA
  • Ricardo Rodrigues dos Santos - Mangrove Primate Center Maranhão State BrazilCentro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Federal do Maranhão Sao Luis Brazil
  • Roberta Salmi - Department of Anthropology University of Georgia Athens Georgia USAMangrove Primate Center Maranhão State Brazil
  • Jardeani M. Silva - Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Biodiversidade e Conservação, Universidade Federal do Maranhão São Luís Brazil

Themes

  • relationship between task complexity and handedness
  • behavioral ecology
  • hand preference in nonhuman primates
  • tool use in primates

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