Captive Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) Arm-raise to Solicit Allo-grooming
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2012 |
Authors: |
M. H. Scheel, D. Edwards |
Publication/Journal: |
Behavioural Processes |
Keywords: |
animal communication, ateles, grooming, spider monkey |
ISBN: |
03766357 |
Abstract:
Old World monkeys solicit allo-grooming from conspecifics. However, there are relatively few studies of allo-grooming among spider monkeys, and descriptions of allo-grooming solicitation among spider monkeys are anecdotal. In this study, eighty-one hours of video, shot over eight weeks, captured 271 allogrooming bouts among small groups of captive spider monkeys. Six of eight monkeys made heretofore unreported arm-raises that solicited higher than normal rates of allo-grooming. Allo-grooming bout durations following arm-raises also tended to be longer than bouts not preceded by arm-raises. The efficacy of the arm-raise at soliciting allo-grooming suggests spider monkeys are capable of intentional communication.