Tool choice on the basis of rigidity in capuchin monkeys

Hector Marin Manrique*, Gloria Sabbatini, Josep Call, Elisabetta Visalberghi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Wild capuchin monkeys select stone tools to crack open nuts on the basis of their weight and friability, two non-visual functional properties. Here, we investigated whether they would select new stick-like tools on the basis of their rigidity. In Experiment 1, subjects faced an out-of-reach reward and a choice of three unfamiliar tools differing in color, diameter, material, and rigidity. In order to retrieve the reward, capuchins needed to select the rigid tool exemplar. Capuchins gathered information regarding tools' pliability either by (1) manipulating the tools themselves (manipulation condition), (2) observing a human demonstrator repeatedly bending the tools (observation condition), or (3) seeing the tools placed on a platform without any manipulation taking place (visual static condition). Subjects selected the rigid tool above chance levels in both the manipulation and observation conditions, but not in the visual static condition. In Experiment 2, subjects needed to select and use a flexible tool to access a liquid reward (as opposed to the rigid tool, as in previous experiment). Again, capuchins selected above chance levels the appropriate tool (i.e., flexible), thus demonstrating a good appreciation of the relation between the tool properties and the task requirements.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)775-786
Number of pages12
JournalAnimal Cognition
Volume14
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2011

Keywords

  • Tool-use
  • Object properties
  • Problem solving
  • Primates
  • Monkeys
  • CROWS CORVUS-MONEDULOIDES
  • CEBUS-APELLA
  • WILD

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