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Olfactory and visual differentiation of synthetically scented surrogates by infant squirrel monkeys
Author(s) -
Kaplan Joel N.,
Cubicciotti Daniel D.,
Redican William K.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
developmental psychobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1098-2302
pISSN - 0012-1630
DOI - 10.1002/dev.420120102
Subject(s) - odor , olfactory cues , squirrel monkey , olfaction , zoology , biology , psychology , sensory cue , communication , ecology , neuroscience
Twelve infant squirrel monkeys were reared with distinctively colored and scented inanimate surrogates ( Green/Floral or Black/Clove ) and tested monthly from 1 to 6 months of age in 3 paired‐comparison conditions that assessed the efficacy of synthetic olfactory cues and color cues as attractive properties of the surrogates. The infants developed specific attractions to both the rearing odor and color of the surrogates by approximately the end of Month 4, although substantial differences existed between the 2 rearing groups, particularly with respect to color responsiveness. When compared with previous findings on infant squirrel monkeys reared with naturally scented surrogates, odor preferences developed relatively late, suggesting that natural, species‐typical odors may have inherently stronger attractive properties for Saimiri than arbitrary synthetic odors.