Social traditions and social learning in capuchin monkeys (Cebus)

Abstract

Capuchin monkeys (genusCebus) have evolutionarily converged with humans and chimpanzees in a number of ways, including large brain size, omnivory and extractive foraging, extensive cooperation and coalitionary behaviour and a reliance on social learning. Recent research has documented a richer repertoire of group-specific social conventions in the coalition-proneCebus capucinusthan in any other non-human primate species; these social rituals appear designed to test the strength of social bonds. Such diverse social conventions have not yet been noted inCebus apella, despite extensive observation at multiple sites. The more robust and widely distributedC. apellais notable for the diversity of its tool-use repertoire, particularly in marginal habitats. AlthoughC. capucinusdoes not often use tools, white-faced capuchins do specialize in foods requiring multi-step processing, and there are often multiple techniques used by different individuals within the same social group. Immatures preferentially observe foragers who are eating rare foods and hard-to-process foods. Young foragers, especially females, tend to adopt the same foraging techniques as their close associates.