Anatomical analysis of thumb opponency movement in the capuchin monkey (Sapajus sp).
Capuchin monkeys present a wide variety of manipulatory skills and make routine use of tools both in captivity and in the wild. Efficient handling of objects in this genus has led several investigators to assume near-human thumb movements despite the lack of anatomical studies. Here we perform an anatomical analysis of muscles and bones in the capuchin hand. Trapezo-metacarpal joint surfaces observed in capuchins indicate that medial rotation of metacarpal I is either absent or very limited. Overall, bone structural arrangement and thumb position relative to the other digits and the hand's palm suggest that capuchins are unable to perform any kind of thumb opponency, but rather a 'lateral pinch' movement. Although the capuchin hand apparatus bears other features necessary for complex tool use, the lack thumb opposition movements suggests that a developed cognitive and motor nervous system may be even more important for high manipulatory skills than traditionally held.
Laboratory of Anthropology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience and Primate Behavior, Federal University of Tocantins, Palmas TO, Brazil ; Primate Center and Laboratory of Neurosciences and Behavior, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Brasília, Brasilia DF, Brazil.
Roqueline A G M F
RA
Aversi-Ferreira
Primate Center and Laboratory of Neurosciences and Behavior, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Brasília, Brasilia DF, Brazil.
Rafael
R
Souto Maior
Department of Anatomy, Howard University College of Medicine, Numa Adams Building, Washington DC, United States of America.
Ashraf
A
Aziz
Department of Anatomy, Howard University College of Medicine, Numa Adams Building, Washington DC, United States of America.
Janine M
JM
Ziermann
System Emotional Science, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.
Hisao
H
Nishijo
Primate Center and Laboratory of Neurosciences and Behavior, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Brasília, Brasilia DF, Brazil.
Carlos
C
Tomaz
Primate Center and Laboratory of Neurosciences and Behavior, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Brasília, Brasilia DF, Brazil.
Maria Clotilde H
MC
Tavares
Laboratory of Anthropology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience and Primate Behavior, Federal University of Tocantins, Palmas TO, Brazil ; System Emotional Science, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.
Tales Alexandre
TA
Aversi-Ferreira
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D002428:Cebus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D050823:Hand Joints / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D012399:Rotation; D013933:Thumb / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*