Postural effect on manual laterality in different tasks in captive grey-cheeked mangabey (Lophocebus albigena).
The authors examined the effects of task complexity and posture on laterality and compared lateralization during different tasks in 9 captive grey-cheeked mangabeys (Lophocebus albigena) during spontaneous food processing and 3 experimental tasks. Comparisons with data of red-capped mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus torquatus; semiterrestrial species) were used. Less than half the monkeys were lateralized for simple everyday activities, but 6 were lateralized for complex daily activities. Moreover, all the monkeys were lateralized when performing experimental tasks. Laterality at the group level was found for the bipedal task: Mangabeys were right-handed. Complexity of tasks increases laterality at the individual level. Significant differences between the 2 species of mangabeys were found, allowing us to confirm that postural constraints are a major factor in the emergence of group handedness.
Blois-Heulin
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Station biologique, University of Rennes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paimpoint, France. catherine.blois-heulin@univ-rennes1.fr
Bernard
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V
Bec
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D000818:Animals; D016664:Cercocebus / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013045:Species Specificity