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Valença T, Oliveira Affonço G, Falótico T. Wild capuchin monkeys use stones and sticks to access underground food. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10415. [PMID: 38710945 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61243-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Primates employ different tools and techniques to overcome the challenges of obtaining underground food resources. Humans and chimpanzees are known to tackle this problem with stick tools and one population of capuchin monkeys habitually uses stone tools. Although early hominids could have used stones as digging tools, we know little about when and how these could be useful. Here, we report a second primate population observed using stone tools and the first capuchin monkey population to habitually use the 'stick-probing' technique for obtaining underground resources. The bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) from Ubajara National Park, Brazil, use 'hands-only' and 'stone-digging' techniques for extracting underground storage organs and trapdoor spiders. Males also use 'stick-probing' and 'stone-stick' techniques for capturing trapdoor spiders. Tool use does not increase success in obtaining these resources. Stone-digging is less frequent in this population than in the only other known population that uses this technique. Females use stones in a lower proportion of their digging episodes than males in both populations. Ecological and cultural factors potentially influence technique choice and sex differences within and between populations. This population has a different pattern of underground food exploration using tools. Comparing this population with others and exploring the ecological and cultural factors under which capuchin monkeys employ different tools and techniques will allow us to better understand the pressures that may have shaped the evolution of those behaviors in primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiane Valença
- University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Capuchin Culture Project, Neotropical Primates Research Group, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Gabriela Oliveira Affonço
- University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Capuchin Culture Project, Neotropical Primates Research Group, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tiago Falótico
- University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Capuchin Culture Project, Neotropical Primates Research Group, São Paulo, Brazil
- Technological Primates Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
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Falótico T, Valença T, Verderane MP, Santana BC, Sirianni G. Mapping nut-cracking in a new population of wild capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) at Ubajara National Park, Brazil. Am J Primatol 2024; 86:e23595. [PMID: 38224002 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Populations of bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) vary in their tool use behaviors, with some of this divergence regarded as culturally determined. The use of stone tools, primarily to crack open encased foods, is widespread among bearded capuchins living in dry habitats (Caatinga and Cerrado). Significant diversity in targets, processed foods, material, and size of tools is observed across populations. However, so far, only a few sites have been systematically studied, and we are still distant from a representative picture of the range of variation in capuchins' culture. In this study, we did a systematic assessment of stone tool use sites in the Ubajara National Park (UNP), in the Caatinga region of Ceará, Brazil, recording and measuring stone tools, processed foods, and available lithic resources as part of an extensive comparative research, the CapCult project. We found indirect and direct evidence that capuchin monkeys at UNP customarily use hammerstones and anvils to process at least two species of palm nuts, macauba (Acrocomia aculeata) and the harder babaçu (Attalea speciosa). Most of the anvils were rock surfaces and had leftovers of only one palm nut species. The hammerstones used to process both palm nuts were not significantly different in weight, although the ones used for Ac. aculeata were longer. We found a higher frequency of nut-cracking sites in the drier lowland area of the park, reflecting differences in the density of the most common palm species, Ac. aculeata, and availability of raw stone material. The stone tool use observed in UNP is within the scope of previously reported in savannah capuchin populations. Our study widens the knowledge of stone tool-use diversity in wild capuchin monkeys, which could contribute to shaping conservation policy, including cultural traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Falótico
- School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Capcult Project, Neotropical Primates Research Group, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Technological Primates Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tatiane Valença
- School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Capcult Project, Neotropical Primates Research Group, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michele P Verderane
- Capcult Project, Neotropical Primates Research Group, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Beatriz C Santana
- School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Giulia Sirianni
- Department of Ancient World Studies, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council (ISTC, CNR), Rome, Italy
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Lima T, Fam B, Tavares GM, Falótico T, Cantele C, Fanti L, Landau L, Viscardi LH, Vargas-Pinilla P, Barrientos-Diaz O, Pissinatti A, Sortica VA, Ottoni EB, Segatto ALA, Turchetto-Zolet AC, Bortolini MC. Insights into the evolutionary history of the most skilled tool-handling platyrrhini monkey: Sapajus libidinosus from the Serra da Capivara National Park. Genet Mol Biol 2023; 46:e20230165. [PMID: 37948505 PMCID: PMC10637428 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2023-0165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Sapajus libidinosus members of the Pedra Furada group, living in the Serra da Capivara National Park, use stone tools in a wider variety of behaviors than any other living animal, except humans. To rescue the evolutionary history of the Caatinga S. libidinosus and identify factors that may have contributed to the emergence and maintenance of their tool-use culture, we conducted fieldwork seasons to obtain biological samples of these capuchin monkeys. UsingCYTBsequences, we show a discrete but constant population growth from the beginning of the Holocene to the present, overlapping the emergence of the Caatinga biome. Our habitat suitability reconstruction reports the presence of plants whose hard fruits, seeds, or roots are processed by capuchins using tools. TheS. libidinosusindividuals in the Caatinga were capable of dynamically developing and maintaining their autochthonous culture thanks to: a) cognitive capacity to generate and execute innovation under selective pressure; b) tolerance favoring learning and cultural inheritance; c) an unknown genetic repertoire that underpins the adaptive traits; d) a high degree of terrestriality; e) presence and abundance of natural resources, which makes some places "hot spots" for innovation, and cultural diversification within a relatively short time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaynara Lima
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Bibiana Fam
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Medina Tavares
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Tiago Falótico
- Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades,
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Camila Cantele
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Lucca Fanti
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Luane Landau
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Lucas Henriques Viscardi
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul,
Escola de Medicina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina e Ciências da Saúde, Porto
Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Pedro Vargas-Pinilla
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto,
Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Ossman Barrientos-Diaz
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Vinicius A. Sortica
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade de São Paulo, Medicina Preventiva da Faculdade de
Medicina, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Eduardo B. Ottoni
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Psicologia, Departamento de
Psicologia Experimental, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia A. Segatto
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Centro de Ciências Naturais e
Exatas, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Santa Maria, RS,
Brazil
| | - Andreia Carina Turchetto-Zolet
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Maria Cátira Bortolini
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Salmi R, Le K, Silva JM, Conceição DP, Presotto A, Rodrigues Dos Santos R. Hand preference in wild crab-eating capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) in the coastal area of Northest Brazil. Am J Primatol 2023; 85:e23546. [PMID: 37635447 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Salmi
- Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Mangrove Primate Center, Maranhão State, Brazil
| | - Kristie Le
- Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Jardeani M Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Conservação, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
| | - 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, Brazil
- Department of Geography and Geosciences, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland, USA
| | - Ricardo Rodrigues Dos Santos
- Mangrove Primate Center, Maranhão State, Brazil
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Sao Luis, Brazil
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