Vertebrate Predation and Tool-Aided Capture of Prey by Savannah Wild Capuchin Monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus)

Abstract

Vertebrate predation was a vital behavior during human evolution. Some Afro-Eurasian primates, such as baboons (Papio spp.) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), frequently hunt and consume vertebrate prey. Capuchin monkeys (Cebus and Sapajus) are omnivorous platyrrhines, and also hunt and consume vertebrates opportunistically. Bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) living in semi-arid savannah environments use stone tools to obtain food resources. However, only one population at Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil, is known to use stick probes to enhance predation. I present data collected for 2 years on vertebrate predation and consumption by two groups of capuchins in this population. Recording vertebrate predation events ad libitum, I observed 72 events, at a rate of 4.6 events/100 h. The most frequent prey were lizards and snakes, followed by birds and rodents, including larger rodents such as adult rock cavies (Kerodon rupestris). The monkeys also preyed on bats, albeit rarely. Predation on vertebrates, including prey that are large relative to their body size, use of tools to aid predation, and a high degree of terrestriality in the savannah environment make robust capuchins a suitable model to understand human evolution, as well as a good comparison with Afro-Eurasian primate models.