TRANSFER OF TOOLS AND FOOD BETWEEN GROUPS OF TUFTED CAPUCHINS (CEBUS-APELLA)

This research examined tool and food transfer between two groups of tu fted capcuhin monkeys (Cebus apella). Subjects in one group transferre d stones to subjects in a second group who in turn used the stones as cutting tools and then transferred food to subjects in the first group . Aspects of the capuchins' behavior are similar to those described fo r food-sharing in Cebus, cooperative tool use in Papio, and tool and f ood exchange in Pan. We propose that tool use and food-sharing facilit ate tool and food transfer between captive groups of Cebus apella. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.