Goal-directed tail use in Colombian spider monkeys (Ateles fusciceps rufiventris) is highly lateralized. 2018

Eliza L Nelson, and Giulianna A Kendall
Florida International University.

Behavioral laterality refers to a bias in the use of one side of the body over the other and is commonly studied in paired organs (e.g., hands, feet, eyes, antennae). Less common are reports of laterality in unpaired organs (e.g., trunk, tongue, tail). The goal of the current study was to examine tail use biases across different tasks in the Colombian spider monkey (Ateles fusciceps rufiventris) for the first time (N = 14). We hypothesized that task context and task complexity influence tail laterality in spider monkeys, and we predicted that monkeys would exhibit strong preferences for using the tail for manipulation to solve out-of-reach feeding problems, but not for using the tail at rest. Our results show that a subset of spider monkeys solved each of the experimental problems through goal-directed tail use (N = 7). However, some tasks were more difficult than others, given the number of monkeys who solved the tasks. Our results supported our predictions regarding laterality in tail use and only partially replicated prior work on tail use preferences in Geoffroy's spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi). Overall, skilled tail use, but not resting tail use, was highly lateralized in Colombian spider monkeys. (PsycINFO Database Record

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007839 Functional Laterality Behavioral manifestations of cerebral dominance in which there is preferential use and superior functioning of either the left or the right side, as in the preferred use of the right hand or right foot. Ambidexterity,Behavioral Laterality,Handedness,Laterality of Motor Control,Mirror Writing,Laterality, Behavioral,Laterality, Functional,Mirror Writings,Motor Control Laterality,Writing, Mirror,Writings, Mirror
D008297 Male Males
D003105 Colombia A country in northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the north Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama. The capital is Bogota.
D005260 Female Females
D006040 Goals The end-result or objective, which may be specified or required in advance. Goal
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001522 Behavior, Animal The observable response an animal makes to any situation. Autotomy Animal,Animal Behavior,Animal Behaviors
D013623 Tail An extension of the posterior of an animal body beyond the TORSO. Tails
D053819 Atelinae A subfamily in the family ATELIDAE, comprising three genera: woolly monkeys (Lagothrix), spider monkeys (Ateles), and woolly spider monkeys (Brachyteles). Ateles,Lagothrix,Monkey, Spider,Monkey, Woolly,Spider Monkey,Woolly Monkey,Brachyteles,Monkey, Woolly Spider,Brachytele,Lagothrices,Monkeys, Spider,Monkeys, Woolly,Monkeys, Woolly Spider,Spider Monkey, Woolly,Spider Monkeys,Spider Monkeys, Woolly,Woolly Monkeys,Woolly Spider Monkey,Woolly Spider Monkeys

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