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Motor planning in different grasping tasks by capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.)
Gloria Sabbatini1, Giusy Meglio2, Valentina Truppa1
1Unit of Cognitive Primatology and Primate Center, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council (CNR), Via Ulisse Aldrovandi 16/B, 00197, Rome, Italy.
Behavioural Brain Research
|June 11, 2016
Summary
Capuchin monkeys demonstrate advanced motor planning, adapting hand grips for future actions in object-use tasks. This suggests complex action selection evolved early in primate evolution.
Area of Science:
- Primate behavior
- Cognitive neuroscience
- Comparative psychology
Background:
- Motor planning and action selection are crucial for object use.
- The end-state comfort effect shows humans plan for future task demands.
- Previous studies on non-human primates yielded mixed results regarding planning abilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate second-order motor planning in capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.).
- To assess planning abilities in both object-retrieval and tool-using tasks.
- To explore the influence of hand preference and learning on planning.
Main Methods:
- Two tasks were designed: object retrieval (Experiment 1) and tool use (Experiment 2).
- Capuchin monkeys' grip choices and actions were observed and analyzed.
- Performance was evaluated based on grip type, task complexity, and learning across sessions.
Main Results:
- Capuchins preferentially used a radial grip in both tasks, indicating planning for end-state comfort.
- Experiment 1: Monkeys adjusted grip for self-directed actions.
- Experiment 2: Monkeys adapted grip for tool-use actions toward an external target.
Conclusions:
- Capuchin monkeys exhibit second-order planning abilities, similar to humans.
- These findings suggest sophisticated motor planning evolved early in primate lineage.
- Hand preference and learning influence action selection in non-human primates.
