The role of food transfers in wild golden lion tamarins ( Leontopithecus rosalia) : Support for the informational and nutritional hypothesis

摘要: Callitrichidae is a unique primate family not only in terms of the large number food transfers to infants but also for prevalence that are initiated by adults. It has been hypothesized that, as well provisioning infants, callitrichid might function teach receiver what types eat. If teaching function, we would expect successful be more likely with novel juveniles. We juveniles learn about foods from those transfers. introduced different (some familiar, some novel) wild groups golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia). While were successfully transferred than familiar experiment, (i.e., obtained food) when donor had previous experience food. Moreover, found evidence suggesting influenced future foraging choices Our findings consistent first and third criteria functional definition teaching, which requires tutors (the adults) modify their behavior presence naive individual (a juvenile), learns modified demonstrator. transfer. Social learning seems play an important role development young tamarins’ preferences.