Fur rubbing: Use of medicinal plants by capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus)

Abstract

There is a growing body of evidence documenting animals' selective use of medicinal plants found in their environments. During research conducted in Costa Rica, capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus) have been observed topically applying material of at least four plant genera (Citrus, Clematis, Piper, and Sloanea). The first three of these plants contain secondary compounds which are known to have anti-insect and/or medicinal benefits and the ethnographic record shows that indigenous peoples throughout the New World use these plants for similar purposes and in similar ways. It is suggested that free-ranging nonhuman primates use plants topically for their potential medicinal purposes. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.