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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 5, 2026

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Tube task hand preference in captive hylobatids.

Luca Morino1,2, Makiko Uchikoshi3, Fred Bercovitch3

  • 1Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France. lmorino@gmail.com.

Primates; Journal of Primatology
|March 26, 2017
PubMed
Summary

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This summary is machine-generated.

Gibbons and siamangs show a left-hand preference, particularly when using their index finger. This study clarifies primate laterality, suggesting evolutionary pressures on arboreal species and explaining discrepancies in captive versus wild studies.

Area of Science:

  • Primate Behavior
  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Zoology

Background:

  • Laterality in humans and primates is debated, with hylobatids (gibbons and siamangs) understudied.
  • Hylobatids possess complex vocalizations linked to human brain specialization and unique arboreal adaptations.
  • Existing data on gibbon handedness is contradictory, necessitating further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate hand preference in captive hylobatids, including siamangs and gibbons.
  • To clarify the extent of laterality in hylobatids and compare findings with wild populations.
  • To explore factors influencing primate handedness, such as arboreality and captivity.

Main Methods:

  • A total of 42 captive hylobatids (22 siamangs, 20 gibbons) were studied across nine Japanese facilities.
Keywords:
ArborealityLateralityPostural origin hypothesisSiamangThumb

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  • A standardized 'tube task' protocol was employed to assess hand preference, controlling for posture and enclosure limitations.
  • Handedness indices were calculated from raw frequencies and bout data, with specific attention to index finger and thumb usage.

    • Main Results:

    • A significant left-hand skew was observed in the hylobatid sample, consistent with wild siamang data.
    • Captive siamangs showed more ambiguously handed individuals and no significant age-related variation compared to wild populations.
    • Index finger use elicited a stronger lateralized response than thumb use, with results being equivocal for gibbons but confirmed for siamangs.

    Conclusions:

    • The study confirms a left-hand preference in siamangs, suggesting evolutionary pressures favoring handedness in arboreal primates.
    • Discrepancies in laterality research between captive and wild primate populations may be attributed to environmental and methodological factors.
    • Further research into hylobatid laterality can provide crucial insights into the evolution of brain lateralization and handedness in primates.