Visual list memory in capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella).
Memory of 3 capuchin monkeys, Cebus apella, was tested with lists of 4 travel-slide pictures and different retention intervals. They touched different areas of a video monitor to indicate whether a test picture was in a list. At short retention intervals (0 s, 1 s, 2 s), memory was good for the last list items (recency effect). At a 10-s retention interval, memory improved for 1st list items (primacy effect). At long retention intervals (20 s and 30 s), primacy effects were strong and recency effects had dissipated. The pattern of retention-interval changes was similar to rhesus monkeys, humans, and pigeons. The time course of recency dissipation was similar to rhesus monkeys. The capuchin's superior tool-use ability was discussed in relation to whether it reflects a superior general cognitive ability, such as memory. In terms of visual memory, capuchin monkeys were not shown to be superior to rhesus monkeys.
Wright
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Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical School, Houston 77225, USA. aawright@nbal9.med.uth.tmc.edu
D000818:Animals; D002428:Cebus / Q000502:physiology; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*