Behavioral variation on bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) from Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park

• Grant number: 21/08762-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2021
• End date: August 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Animal Behavior
• Principal Investigator: Tiago Falótico
• Grantee: Amanda Christina Macedo
• Host Institution: Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades (EACH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/01292-9 - Cultural variation in robust capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.), AP.JP

Abstract

Culture has long been considered a uniquely human trait, but in other non-human primates, culture has also been recorded and is present in several species. Capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.) show a wide behavioral variation, especially regarding tool-use behaviors, between and within species, but no comprehensive comparison between species and populations has been performed so far. The project "Cultural variation in capuchin monkeys", to which this project is linked, aims to identify cultural variance in capuchin monkeys. This undergraduate project aims to analyze the variability of tool use in one of the new capuchin monkey populations studied in the main project, at Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park. Camera-trap and directed recorded videos will be analyzed to assess whether individuals in this group solve, and in what way, various cognitive tests, such as probe problem boxes, excavation boxes and stone tool selection experiments. These data will allow comparisons between populations and correlation of results with individual and population genetic profiles (main project). It is important to emphasize that this population still does not have direct studies on the use of tools and cognition, and any observation on capuchin monkeys in this population is new data. These data will also be used to compare species and populations in the main project, enabling the production of the first comprehensive cultural mapping of capuchin monkeys. (AU)