http://1.How  does a novel feeding habit spread in wild monkeys? We combined a field experiment with Bayesian dynamic learning models and showed that monkeys used the highest payoff processing technique and displayed by higher ranked demonstrators. #AnimBehav2021

http://2.Social  learning is a basis for traditions. Social learning strategies (SLS) refer to biases toward specific individuals or behaviors. We ran an open diffusion experiment providing a novel food, unshelled peanuts, to groups of wild monkeys in South Africa.

3.Monkeys used 3 different processing techniques: opening the peanut with the hand (ch), with the mouth from the side of the peanut (cms) or with the mouth from the top of the peanut (cmt). #AnimBehav2021

4.We analyzed the data with a modelling approach - Experience Weighted Attraction Models - integrating multiple SLS with individual learning to investigate how learning is influenced over time by both personal experience and observation of others.

5.We found that monkeys preferentially used the technique yielding the highest observed payoff, and also bias attention toward higher rankers. We reported juveniles and females being more sensitive to behavior’s payoff and adults and males to model’s rank.

6.We suggest that payoff and rank biased learning may explain the spread of feeding habits in vervet monkeys. Even for a relatively simple to process food as peanuts, techniques’ choice is socially driven and do not rely only on individual learning.

I'm sorry, all the thread was prepared but then everything disappeared!