First evidence of stone handling in geladas: From simple to more complex forms of object play

• Published in: Behavioural processes Vol. 180; p. 104253
• Main Authors: Cangiano, Maria, Palagi, Elisabetta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.11.2020
• Subjects: Animals; Germany; Macaca; Misdirected foraging hypothesis; Motor training hypothesis; neurogenesis; Object play manipulation; Play ontogenetic trajectories; Theropithecus - physiology; Theropithecus gelada; Germany; Theropithecus gelada; Object play manipulation; Misdirected foraging hypothesis; Play ontogenetic trajectories; Motor training hypothesis

•Our study reveals the presence of stone handling (SH) outside the Macaca genus.•Geladas are a derived species of Papionini representing a good model to test hypotheses on SH.•SH in geladas peak when they are juveniles and persists into adulthood.•SH behaviour increases in complexity along with the...