Hand preferences in coordinated bimanual tasks in non-human primates: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Soto, Cristina; Gázquez, José M.M.; Llorente, Miquel

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104822

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 139 publications

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“…Up until recently, right‐handedness in humans was considered a “social norm” and “corrective” attempts had been made at early ontogeny if deviations were noticed (McManus, 2009). Yet there exists a considerable variation in hand preference both within and across primate species, including humans (Caspar et al, 2022; Meguerditchian et al, 2013; Soto et al, 2022). Each side of the body is controlled by the opposite brain hemisphere; that is, the right hand is controlled by the left hemisphere and vice versa (Bisazza et al, 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although bimanual tasks are proposed to be more suitable when investigating hand preference on a group level (Nelson, 2022; Soto et al, 2022), an individual's hand preference for simple and cognitively less demanding tasks, such as unimanual reaching, also reflects one hemisphere's dominance over the other (Rogers, 2018; Gordon & Rogers, 2010, 2015). Individual hand preference for unimanual reaching or unimanual foraging is highly consistent within individuals across primates (e.g., Callithrix jacchus : Kuběnová et al, 2022; Macaca silenus : Rogers, 2009; Rhinopithecus roxellana : Fu et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hand preference predicts behavioral responses to threats in Barbary macaques

Dijk

Bhattacharjee

Belli

et al. 2023

American J Primatol

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The structure and functioning of the brain are lateralized—the right hemisphere processes unexpected stimuli and controls spontaneous behavior, while the left deals with familiar stimuli and routine responses. Hemispheric dominance, the predisposition of an individual using one hemisphere over the other, may lead to behavioral differences; particularly, an individual may be programed to act in a certain way concerning hemispheric dominance. Hand preference is a robust estimator of hemispheric dominance in primates, as each hemisphere controls the opposing side of the body. Studies have found links between hand preference and the exhibition of behaviors in contexts such as exploring and manipulating objects. However, little is known whether hand preference predicts behavioral variations in other ecologically relevant contexts like predation. We investigated the relationship between hand preference and behavioral responses to two types of predator models in captive Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) (n = 22). Besides, a nonpredator novel object was included as control. We found 91% of the macaques to be lateralized with no group‐level bias. A higher rate of tension and focus (behavioral response) behavior was found in predator contexts than in the novel object condition. Unlike their right‐hand counterparts, individuals with a strong left‐hand preference elicited frequent focus and tension behavior toward the predator models. Additionally, the behavioral response varied with predator type. We also found an interaction effect between hand preference and predator type. Our study suggests that hand preference can reliably predict behavioral variations in the context of potential predation. While these results are consistent with lateralized brain function, indicating lateralization a neural mechanism of behavioral variation, the interaction effect between hand preference and predator type elucidates the importance of context‐specificity when investigating laterality noninvasively. Future research on other nonhuman primates using the current framework may provide insights into the evolution of laterality and underlying behavioral predispositions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hand preference predicts behavioral responses to threats in Barbary macaques

Dijk

Bhattacharjee

Belli

et al. 2023

American J Primatol

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“…Research conducted on several primate lineages revealed strong individual and population/group‐level hand preferences using the tube task but not for simple unimanual tasks (e.g., cercopithecoidea: Blois‐Heulin et al, 2006; Maille et al, 2013; Regaiolli et al, 2018; Schweitzer et al, 2007; Vauclair et al, 2005; hominoidea: Fagard & Marks, 2000; Llorente et al, 2009; Meguerditchian et al, 2015; Salmi et al, 2016; plathirrines: Meunier & Vauclair, 2007; Nelson & Boeving, 2015; Spinozzi et al, 1998; strepsirrhines: Regaiolli et al, 2016). A recent review of the available primate data performing the tube task and other bimanual actions revealed strong lateral bias but with variable direction, indicating that whether primates prefer the left or right hand may be independent from task complexity (Soto et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hand preference in wild crab‐eating capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) in the coastal area of Northest Brazil

Salmi,

Le,

Silva

et al. 2023

American J Primatol

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Handedness is a fundamental human trait, although recent research, especially on nonhuman primates, has shown that it is displayed by other animals as well (e.g., chimpanzees, gorillas). In this study, we explore hand preference in wild crab‐eating tufted capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) inhabiting a mangrove forest located on the coastal area of Northeast Brazil (Maranhão State). Tufted capuchin monkeys at our site use facultatively wooden tools to crack open crabs. We observed hand preference in 12 subjects who spontaneously participated in experiment sessions, in which we provided crabs and tools on wooden platforms. We recorded (using events and bouts) two unimanual tasks, (tool or crab) grabbing and (tool or crab) pounding, and one bimanual task, crab pulling, where one hand kept the crab in place while the other pulled off parts of the crab. Hand preference increased with greater strength needed to perform the task and its complexity. While only 17%−25% of capuchins showed hand preference during grabbing, 44%−64% showed hand preference during pounding, and most subjects 64%−80% displayed a right‐hand preference when performing the bimanual task, for which all lateralized individuals were right‐handed. Hand preference did not vary between adults and juvenile individuals and was not consistent across tasks. Group‐level hand preference was found only for the bimanual task, for which all lateralized individuals were right‐handed. Our findings are in concordance with those of other primate studies showing the emergence of hemispheric specialization for bimanual actions, highlight the importance of conducting such studies on diverse type of tasks, and show the feasibility to conduct experimental manipulation under natural conditions.

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“…The most well-known example of behavioral laterality is handedness, which is a marked preference for using one hand over the other. Reviews of primate handedness, e.g., [1][2][3][4][5][6][7], have focused on the search for population-level preferences in the context of revealing the evolutionary origins of handedness and the origins of laterality in general. This quest has largely been driven by the distinctive pattern in human handedness (9:1 ratio of righthanders to left-handers; [8]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic Review: The Development of Behavioral Laterality Across the First Year of Life in Nonhuman Primates

Nelson

Karimi

2023

Symmetry

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Unlike in human research, infants are poorly represented in the literature on nonhuman primate laterality. Studies have traditionally measured adults, a trend captured by prior reviews. The extent of the knowledge gaps related to laterality measured early in the lifespan is unknown. As a starting point, this systematic review examined the evidence on behavioral laterality across the first year of life in nonhuman primates using the PRISMA guidelines. The inclusion criteria were at least one measure of behavioral laterality in at least one subject < 1 year old. Database searches were conducted in PsycINFO, PubMed, and OVID Medline using the filterNHP search builder tool, and additional records were identified through citation searching. Two independent reviewers screened abstracts and full texts; 47 articles were retained (0 prosimian, 6 platyrrhine, 27 catarrhine, and 14 ape studies). Macaca and Pan were overrepresented. Nipple preference was the most-studied behavior, followed by hand preference. Modifying how data are collected and analyzed will increase developmental rigor in primate studies. To facilitate comparisons with the human infant literature, we suggest measuring a behavior more than once to test for change or continuity in preference over time and measuring different behaviors at different timepoints to test for potential developmental cascades.

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Hand preferences in coordinated bimanual tasks in non-human primates: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cited by 8 publications

References 139 publications

Hand preference predicts behavioral responses to threats in Barbary macaques

Hand preference predicts behavioral responses to threats in Barbary macaques

Hand preference in wild crab‐eating capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) in the coastal area of Northest Brazil

Systematic Review: The Development of Behavioral Laterality Across the First Year of Life in Nonhuman Primates

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