Capuchin monkeys use only proto-tools to crack jatobá hard-shelled fruits in an urban environment

Authors

  • Claudio Herbert Nina e Silva Laboratório de Psicologia Anomalística e Neurociências, Faculdade de Psicologia, Universidade de Rio Verde
  • Olhiga Ivanoff Laboratório de Psicologia Anomalística e Neurociências, Faculdade de Psicologia, Universidade de Rio Verde
  • Eliane Andreia dos Santos Oliveira Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Conservação, Instituto Federal Goiano, Campus Rio Verde

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4013/nbc.2017.123.07

Abstract

The goal of this study was to describe a nut-cracking behavior by six adult bearded capuchin monkeys of a group living on an urban protected area called Bosque Bougainville in the city of Goiânia, central Brazil. The nut-cracking events, occurring with jatobá (Hymenaea stygonocarpa Mart.), were recorded in digital video and classified in terms of behavioral categories of nut-cracking: proto-tool use and tool-use. The nut-cracking behavior was also quantified and analyzed by means of TOTE motor unit categories. All jatobá nut-cracking events records were of the proto-tool use category. The successful jatobá nut-cracking (complete TOTE motor units) occurred in most of the recorded events for all animals. The absence of tool-use records was explained by the ecological circumstances at the Bosque Bougainville and by the high level of efficacy of proto-tool used in jatobá nut-cracking.

Keywords: foraging, tools, motor control, animal cognition.

Author Biographies

Claudio Herbert Nina e Silva, Laboratório de Psicologia Anomalística e Neurociências, Faculdade de Psicologia, Universidade de Rio Verde

Professor Adjunto de Neurofisiologia, Genética e Teoria Evolucionista, Laboratório de Psicologia Anomalística e Neurociências, Faculdade de Psicologia, Universidade de Rio Verde.

Olhiga Ivanoff, Laboratório de Psicologia Anomalística e Neurociências, Faculdade de Psicologia, Universidade de Rio Verde

Bolsista PIBIC/CNPq, Acadêmica de Psicologia, Universidade de Rio Verde

Eliane Andreia dos Santos Oliveira, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Conservação, Instituto Federal Goiano, Campus Rio Verde

Mestranda do Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade e Conservação, Instituto Federal Goiano, Campus Rio Verde

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Published

2017-07-05

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 3 (2017): September/December

Section

Articles

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