ANT-GATHERING WITH TOOLS BY CAPTIVE TUFTED CAPUCHINS (CEBUS-APELLA)

We examined ant-gathering with tools by captive tufted capuchins (Cebu s apella) via two experiments. In Experiment 1, we provided groups of subjects with sticks and small branches and an apparatus that accommod ated the use of tools to gather ants. In Experiment 2, we sealed the a pparatus with acetate and provided the same subjects with sticks and s tones. Seven of 14 subjects used sticks and leaves as probes to extrac t ants from the apparatus. Six of them modified probes by detaching st icks from larger branches, breaking sticks into two or more pieces, an d subtracting leaves and bark. Three subjects later used a stone and s tick tool-set to penetrate acetate barriers and to extract ants. These results demonstrate the use of tools by Cebus to capture moving prey and are consistent with the idea that sensorimotor skills associated w ith the production and use of tools in primates evolved convergently i n capuchins and great apes.