Response to novel food and the role of social influences in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) and Goeldi's monkeys (Callimico goeldii)

Abstract

Neophobia, defined as showing caution toward novel features of the environment, is widespread in birds and mammals; it can be affected by ecology, early experience, and social context. In this study, we aimed to (i) investigate the response to novel food in adult common marmosets and Goeldi's monkeys and (ii) assess the role of social influences. We used an experimental paradigm employed previously with capuchin monkeys and children, in which a subject (observer) was presented with a novel food under three conditions: (i) Presence: group members did not have food; (ii) Different color: group members received familiar food whose color differed from that of the observer's novel food; (iii) Same color: group members received familiar food of the same color as the observer's novel food. Although most common marmosets tasted and/or ate the novel food, none of the Goeldi's monkeys ate it and only two sampled it. Differences in home range size and early social experience might explain the divergent behavior of the two species. Observers of both species similarly attended to group members and their visual attention increased with the number of group members eating, especially when the observer's and group members' foods were perceptually similar. However, we observed social influences on explorative behavior in Goeldi's monkeys but not on explorative or eating behavior in common marmosets. This result might be explained by the different pattern of response to novel food observed in the two species. Moreover, social influences on Goeldi's monkeys' behavior were nonspecific, i.e. they were not based on an appreciation that the food is safe because eaten by group members.

Factors affecting cashew processing by wild bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus, Kerr 1792)

“…In fact, several studies demonstrated that eating is socially facilitated by seeing/hearing others eating food [Ferrari et al, ] and that social facilitation of eating allows tufted capuchin monkeys ( Sapajus spp.) [Addessi et al, ; Visalberghi and Addessi, , ] and human children [Galloway et al, ] to overcome caution toward novel food.…”

Cognitive ecology: ecological factors, life‐styles, and cognition

“…Neophobia, in contrast, varies with stimulus complexity and the degree of deviation from what the organism has experienced before (variation) and the same may apply for exploration, innovation and learning . Several studies ranging from birds to mammals have shown that diet or habitat generalists are less neophobic than diet and habitat specialists supporting the Neophobia Threshold hypothesis stating that experiences made early in life (e.g. number of food types/habitats) are protected by neophobia later in life .…”

Contrasting responses to novelty by wild and captive orangutans

“…In primates, most studies of novelty response conducted on captive groups describe neophilia [Addessi et al, 2007;Chamove, 1983;Ehrlich, 1970;Glickman & Sroges, 1966;Joubert & Vauclair, 1986;Visalberghi, 1988]. In contrast, the few available studies of wild primates report cautiousness toward novel artifacts [Menzel, 1966;Visalberghi et al, 2003].…”

“…Among non-primates, the only such comparison involves spotted hyenas, Crocuta crocuta, again with the same outcome [Benson-Amram et al, 2013]. Moreover, among primates, there is growing evidence for social influences on the integration of novel food items into feeding repertoires [Addessi et al, 2007;Leca et al, 2007;Schuppli et al, 2012;Ueno & Matsuzawa, 2005;Visalberghi & Addessi, 2000;Visalberghi & Fragaszy, 1995], suggesting that upon encounter with novelty, primates use social cues rather than risk-independent exploration.…”