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Tool-use training temporarily enhances cognitive performance in long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis)

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Abstract

Tool use relies on numerous cognitive functions, including sustained attention and understanding of causality. In this study, we investigated the effects of tool-use training on cognitive performance in primates. Specifically, we applied the Primate Cognition Test Battery to three long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) at different stages of a training procedure that consisted of using a rake to retrieve out-of-reach food items. In addition, we evaluated a control group (n = 3) performing a grasping task, in order to account for possible effects related to a simple motor act. Our results showed that tool-use training enhances mean performance in the physical cognition domain, i.e. the understanding of spatial relations, numerosity and causality. In particular, causal cognition (evaluating noise- and shape-related causality and understanding of tool properties) showed significant improvement after training, whereas spatial cognition (evaluating spatial memory, object permanence, rotation and transposition) showed a trend to improvement. Despite these findings, none of our trained monkeys succeeded in the tool-use task of the Primate Cognition Test Battery, which involved an unfamiliar tool. Some training-related effects did not persist after a 35-day resting period, suggesting that continuous practice may be necessary, or that a longer training period before resting may be needed to better maintain cognitive performance. In contrast with the training group, the control group did not display any change in cognitive performance. This finding paves the way to further investigation into the link between tool-use behaviour and the evolution of primate cognition.

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Abbreviations

PCTB:

Primate Cognition Test Battery

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a grant from the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (PRIN-2015, n. F52F16000840001).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Translational Neurophysiology of Speech and Communication, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Ferrara, Italy

    Banty Tia, Riccardo Viaro & Luciano Fadiga

  2. Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, Section of Human Physiology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

    Riccardo Viaro & Luciano Fadiga

  3. UMR 7179, MECADEV, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Brunoy, France

    Banty Tia

Authors
  1. Banty Tia
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  2. Riccardo Viaro
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  3. Luciano Fadiga
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Correspondence to Banty Tia.

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All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. All procedures were performed in accordance with the Animal Care Ethics Committee of the University of Ferrara, authorised by the Italian Ministry of Health (Research Permission No. 1139/2016-PR) and complied with the European laws on the use of laboratory animals.

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Tia, B., Viaro, R. & Fadiga, L. Tool-use training temporarily enhances cognitive performance in long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Anim Cogn 21, 365–378 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-018-1173-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-018-1173-3

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