Abstract
Three experiments were conducted to test whether a pair of tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) could generalize their ability to exchange tokens and tool objects with a human experimenter to similar exchanges with a conspecific partner. Monkeys were tested in side-by-side enclosures, one enclosure containing a tool-use apparatus and one or more token(s), and the other enclosure containing one or more tool object(s). The monkeys willingly transferred tokens and tools to a conspecific with little practice. Following a small amount of training, we also found that the monkeys would select situation-appropriate tokens to exchange for specific tools, but did not select appropriate tool objects in response to another monkey’s token transfers. Implications regarding role reversal are discussed.
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Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the AGI Yemassee Primate Center Colony Manager, Todd Crosby, and Attending Veterinarian, Jose Rodriguez, for their continual support. This study was reviewed and approved by the AGI IACUC, and was conducted in compliance with the laws and ethical standards of the United States of America. This research was supported by the National Institute of Health Grant Number R03HD39647-01A1.
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Westergaard, G.C., Evans, T.A. & Howell, S. Token mediated tool exchange between tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella). Anim Cogn 10, 407–414 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-007-0072-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-007-0072-9