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Versatile grasping ability in power‐grip actions by tufted capuchin monkeys ( Sapajus spp.)
Author(s) -
Truppa Valentina,
Spinozzi Giovanna,
Laganà Tiziana,
Piano Mortari Eva,
Sabbatini Gloria
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.22836
Subject(s) - psychology , power (physics) , quantum mechanics , physics
Objectives Capuchin monkeys are well known to have a high degree of manual dexterity. In this study, we assessed the variability of capuchin grasping actions involving power grips, i.e., manual actions in which the object is grasped between the palm and one or several parts of the fingers and that do not necessarily involve individually controlled finger movements. Planning abilities in executing actions were also evaluated. Methods Twenty tufted capuchins ( Sapajus spp.) were tested in a task requiring individuals to grasp a dowel inserted into a vertical tube. We examined their grasping techniques, focusing on the following aspects: (i) the different hand postures made during grasping, (ii) the frequency of thumb use in opposition to the other fingers, (iii) the asymmetric use of the hands, and (iv) the configuration of the grasping action for the purpose of comfortably bringing the food to the mouth. Results Eight power‐grip variants were identified, with individual capuchins performing an average of more than five different grips. The use of the thumb in opposition to the other areas of the hand, as reported in studies of precision grips, also appears to be a common feature in power grips. No evidence of group‐level manual asymmetries was found. Adult capuchins were better than immature individuals in planning grasping actions in relation to following task demands. Discussion Overall, these findings clarify the extent to which manual dexterity and cognitive abilities can be expressed in the grasping tasks of highly manually skilled primate species. Am J Phys Anthropol 159:63–72, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.