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Lateralization for visual processes: eye preference in Campbell's monkeys (Cercopithecus c. campbelli)
Amandine S Chapelain1, Catherine Blois-Heulin
1Department of Human Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, England. a.s.chapelain@lboro.ac.uk
Animal Cognition
|June 26, 2008
Summary
This study on Campbell's monkeys reveals strong eye preference, with most individuals favoring one eye for visual tasks. These findings suggest early brain lateralization for perception in primates.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Primatology
- Comparative Psychology
Background:
- Brain lateralization, particularly hand preference, is well-researched.
- Eye use lateralization in non-human primates remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate eye preference in Campbell's monkeys (Cercopithecus c. campbelli).
- To compare eye laterality with manual laterality in this species.
- To explore the emergence of lateralization in perceptual versus motor functions.
Main Methods:
- Assessed eye preference using a monocular vision task with a seed in a tube.
- Recorded 100 non-rewarded trials per individual monkey.
- Analyzed eye preference data for 14 Campbell's monkeys.
Main Results:
- All 14 monkeys exhibited strong eye preferences (mean 97.6%).
- Eight subjects preferred their right eye, while six preferred their left eye.
- Significant individual differences in eye preference were observed.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the hypothesis of early lateralization for perceptual processes.
- Eye laterality may emerge earlier than manual motor laterality in primates.
- This study contributes to understanding brain lateralization in non-human primates.
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