Social interaction with non-averse group-mates modifies a learned food aversion in single- and mixed-species groups of tamarins (Saguinus fuscicollis andS. labiatus)

Abstract

For social species, being a member of a cohesive group and performing activities as a coordinated unit appear to provide a mechanism for the efficient transmission of information about food. Social learning about food palatability was investigated in two captive primates, Saguinus fuscicollis and S. labiatus, which form stable and cohesive mixed-species groups in the wild. We explored whether an induced food aversion toward a preferred food is modified during and after social interaction with non-averse conspecifics or congeners. Sets of intra- and interspecific pairs were presented with two foods, one of which was considered distasteful by one of the pairs (the other was palatable), and their behavior was compared pre-interaction, during interaction, and post-interaction. For the aversely-conditioned individuals of both species, the change in social context corresponded to a change in their preference for the food that they considered unpalatable, regardless of whether they had interacted with a conspecific or congeneric pair, and the change in food preference was maintained post-interaction. In a control condition, in which averse individuals did not have the opportunity to interact with non-averse animals, S. fuscicollis sampled the preferred food, but not as quickly as when given the opportunity to interact. We conclude that the social learning demonstrated here may allow individual tamarins to track environmental change, such as fruit ripening, more efficiently than asocial learning alone, because social learners can more quickly and safely focus on appropriate behavior by sharing up-to-date foraging information. Furthermore, since the behavior of congeners, as well as conspecifics, acts to influence food choice in a more adaptive direction, social learning about food palatability may be an advantage of mixed-species group formation to tamarins of both species.

Response to novel food and the role of social influences in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) and Goeldi's monkeys (Callimico goeldii)

“…Social factors affect response to food; in young common marmosets they may increase acceptance of novel food [Vitale & Queyras, 1997;Voelkl et al, 2006;Yamamoto & Lopes, 2004] and are powerful in reversing an acquired food aversion [Queyras et al, 2000; see also Prescott et al, 2005 for similar results in Saguinus fuscicollis and S. labiatus]. Similarly, tufted capuchins (Cebus apella) eat more of a novel food when they see group members eating than when they are alone [Addessi & Visalberghi, 2006;Visalberghi & Addessi, 2003 for a review].…”

Food Liking Enhances the Plasma Response of 2-Arachidonoylglycerol and of Pancreatic Polypeptide upon Modified Sham Feeding in Humans

“…These preferences are innate in animals as well as in humans and might have had a role in human evolution to detect plant poisonous substances (5). Nevertheless, social factors may lead to conditioned learning preference for bitter foods, as happened with coffee and some bitter vegetables (6,7).…”

“…Food palatability is generally assessed in humans with the use of psychometric methods that are based on the tasting of food and self-recording of a score for food pleasantness on hedonic visual analog scales (VASs) 6 or fixed-point scales (8). The cephalic phase response to eating can be efficiently investigated by using a modified sham feeding (MSF) protocol.…”

Socially biased learning among adult cottontop tamarins (Saguinus oedipus)

“…In support of this, research has examined socially biased learning in primate taxa, such as Callitrichidae, which are typified by relatively egalitarian social networks that might otherwise not receive attention based on their phylogenetic status (e.g. cottontop tamarins, Saguinus oedipus [Moscovice & Snowdon, 2006;Snowdon & Boe, 2003]; common marmosets, C. jacchus [Caldwell & Whiten, 2004;Voelkl & Huber, 2000]; golden lion tamarins, Leontopithecus rosalia [Stoinski & Beck, 2001]; saddle-back tamarin, S. fuscicollis, and redbellied tamarin, S. labiatus [Prescott & Buchanan-Smith, 1999;Prescott et al, 2005]. Indeed, this family has multiple characteristics that make it ideal for studying socially biased learning.…”