2011/03/09 by Antonio Souto, Camila B. C. Bione, Monique Bastos +3 · 2 citations
Psychology · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Primate Behavior and Ecology #Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior #Animal Behavior and Reproduction #Biology #Bipedalism #Critically endangered #Endangered species #Fish <Actinopterygii> #Ecology #Nest (protein structural motif) #Zoology #Atlantic forest #Fishery #Habitat #Anatomy
paper · doi:10.1098/rsbl.2011.0034
openalex publication_date 2011/03/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/08
We report the spontaneous modification and use of sticks to fish for termites, above the ground, in wild blonde capuchins (Cebus flavius). These critically endangered Neotropical primates inhabit remnants of the Atlantic Forest. They used two previously undescribed techniques to enhance their termite capture success: nest tapping and stick rotation. The current ecologically based explanation for tool use in wild capuchins (i.e. terrestrial habits and bipedalism) must be viewed cautiously. Instead, remarkable manual skills linked to a varied diet seem important in promoting tool use in different contexts. The repertoire of tool-using techniques employed by wild capuchins has been expanded, highlighting the behavioural versatility in this genus.