Activity budget and social behavior of urban capuchin monkeys, Sapajus sp. (Primates: Cebidae)

Abstract

Constant changes in natural environments impose challenges to wild animal populations, especially those that depend on social life. We gathered data on the activity budget and social interactions of a capuchin monkey (Sapajussp.) group of 17 individuals confined to an urban green area receiving human food supplementation. We observed the capuchins between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm, three days a month, between January 2012 and June 2013 (total of 530 hours of direct observations). We collected 15,208 behavioral records through instantaneous scan sampling and 2,538 events of social interaction in an adapted version of the “all occurrences” method. Activity budget of capuchins was dominated by traveling (42%) and foraging (38%), followed by feeding (10%), social interactions (5%), resting (4%), and others (2%). Except for feeding, the time spent on other activities varied across sex-age classes. Social interactions of capuchins were dominated by affiliative interactions (80%), mainly social play, followed by agonistic (11%) and cooperative (10%) interactions. Sexual interactions were rare (0.4%) and often involved juveniles (45% of the events). Juveniles performed most of the social interactions, followed by the alpha male, and were the main receptors of grooming, food sharing, and agonism. On the other hand, they were the main group involved in allocarrying of infants. Grooming between females and from them to alpha male was infrequent. However, grooming of the alpha male towards the adult females was frequent. We interpreted the deviations in the activity budget and social interactions of the urban capuchins as effects of human food supplementation and restriction on dispersal, illustrating the behavioral ability of capuchin monkeys to adjust their activity in human-altered environments.

Temporal variation in the behaviour of a cooperatively breeding bird, Jungle Babbler (Argya striata) at diel and seasonal scale

“…Similar findings have been reported in urban Capuchin monkeys (80%) and Shelducks (60%) in which most of their time is allocated in foraging (Back et al 2019; Bensizerara and Chenchouni 2019). However, Vervet monkeys have been reported to spend much less time in foraging (30-40%, Isbell and Young 1993) in comparison.…”

Stress behaviors in captive robust capuchins: Effects of humidity, visitors, management and sex

“…Females expressed both types of stress behaviors at higher rates than males. They likely exhibited higher rates of stereotypes because they were more frustrated with free time without alternatives to allocate it, as they are more motivated to forage, travel, and engage in maternal activities (Back et al, 2019;Fragaszy, 1986), though some studies did not find significative behavioral differences in captive primates with or without offspring (e.g., Cronin et al, 2016).…”

Urine washing in urban robust capuchin monkeys (Sapajus sp.): The relation with visitors

“…They are omnivorous primates known to have a high degree of behavioral flexibility (Fragaszy et al, 2004). Robust capuchins can be found in small green urban areas (Aguiar et al, 2014), where they must deal with new stimuli and pressures, including frequent contact with humans (Back et al, 2019; Suzin et al, 2017). People can be considered a potential threat and stress source for different primate species, including capuchins, that may affect their welfare (Bryson‐Morrison et al, 2017; de la Barrera Cardozo et al, 2021; Hosey, 2000; Sherwen et al, 2015).…”