Abstract
Most studies of spatial memory in primates focus on species that inhabit large home ranges and have dispersed, patchy resources. Researchers assume that primates use memory to minimize distances traveled between resources. We investigated the use of spatial memory in a group of six white-faced sakis (Pithecia pithecia) on 12.8-ha Round Island, Guri Lake, Venezuela during a period of fruit abundance. The sakis’ movements were analyzed with logistic regressions, a predictive computer model and a computer model that simulates movements. We considered all the resources available to the sakis and compared observed distances to predicted distances from a computer model for foragers who know nothing about the location of resources. Surprisingly, the observed distances were four times greater than the predicted distances, suggesting that the sakis passed by a majority of the available fruit trees without feeding. The odds of visiting a food tree, however, were significantly increased if the tree had been visited in the previous 3 days and had more than 100 fruit. The sakis’ preferred resources were highly productive fruit trees, Capparis trees, and trees with water holes. They traveled efficiently to these sites. The sakis choice of feeding sites indicate that they combined knowledge acquired by repeatedly traveling through their home range with ‘what’ and ‘where’ information gained from individual visits to resources. Although the sakis’ foraging choices increased the distance they traveled overall, choosing more valued sites allowed the group to minimize intragroup feeding competition, maintain intergroup dominance over important resources, and monitor the state of resources throughout their home range. The sakis’ foraging decisions appear to have used spatial memory, elements of episodic-like memory and social and nutritional considerations.
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Acknowledgments
This research was funded by grants to Elena Cunningham from the CUNY Graduate School, L.S.B. Leakey Foundation, W.G. Kinzey Fund, and the Wenner-Gren Foundation. We are grateful to the administration of Edelca for allowing the primates of Guri Lake to be studied. We thank Marilyn Norconk for generously sharing unpublished data with us and for helping EC work at the study site. Amy Harrison-Levine assisted EC in the field. EC thanks her for her hard work, insights, and companionship. EC also thanks John Robinson, Eric Delson, and Sharon Himmanen for their comments. EC is extremely grateful to Karyl Swartz whose comments and support were essential.
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This contribution is part of the Special Issue “A Socioecological Perspective on Primate Cognition” (Cunningham and Janson 2007).
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Cunningham, E., Janson, C. Integrating information about location and value of resources by white-faced saki monkeys (Pithecia pithecia). Anim Cogn 10, 293–304 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-007-0077-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-007-0077-4