Publication
Title
Chimpanzees' behavioral flexibility, social tolerance, and use of tool-composites in a progressively challenging foraging problem
Author
Abstract
Behavioral flexibility is a critical ability allowing animals to respond to changes in their environment. Previous studies have found evidence of inflexibility when captive chimpanzees are faced with changing task parameters. We provided two groups of sanctuary-housed chimpanzees with a foraging task in which solutions were restricted over time. Initially, juice could be retrieved from within a tube by hand or by using tool materials, but effective solutions were then restricted by narrowing the tube, necessitating the abandonment of previous solutions and adoption of new ones. Chimpanzees responded flexibly, but one group increased their use of effective techniques to a greater extent than the other. Tool-composite techniques emerged in both groups, but primarily in the more flexible group. The more flexible group also showed higher rates of socio-positive behaviors at the task. In conjunction, these findings support the hypothesis that social tolerance may facilitate the emergence and spread of novel behaviors.
Language
English
Source (journal)
iScience
Publication
Elsevier , 2021
ISSN
2589-0042
DOI
10.1016/J.ISCI.2021.102033
Volume/pages
24 :2 (2021) , 51 p.
Article Reference
102033
ISI
000621266700008
Pubmed ID
33521600
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 30.03.2021
Last edited 17.11.2024
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