Stone tool use in capuchin monkeys in Jicarón, Panama

For a long time, tool use was the defining characteristic of human, but we now know that many other animals also use tools. Habitual stone tool use is observed in chimpanzees, macaques and tufted capuchins. Recently, we reported habitual use of tools in white-faced capuchins on islands of Coiba and Jicarón in Panama who have been using stone tools to crack open nuts, crabs, marine snails, and fruits, for at least a decade.

This project has relevance to reevaluate percussive tool use behavior in our ancestors, before intentionally modified tools as seen in Oldowan and Lomekwian. Among other topic, this project brings archaeological perspective to capuchin tool use. In particular, we look at the tool selection according to size or raw materials and techniques of tool use. Further, we investigate the taphonomy of tool sites and attempt to reveal preservation bias (proximity to water) that could affect site visibility and the degree of observed accumulation of tools and food debirs, to be able to infer settlement patterns related to food distribution.