Introduction and integration of strangers into captive groups of tufted capuchins (Cebus apella)

Abstract

We introduced two to four unfamiliar animals into three established groups (N = 6–9 per group) of tufted capuchins (Cebus apella).We present findings on the behavioral consequences of introductions as a function of age, sex, and residency status and long-term consequences for health and reproduction. No morbidity from aggression occurred at the time of introductions or during several months following, and reproduction was not compromised. Activity budgets and patterns of social spacing and interaction were little changed following the introductions except for increases in vigilance behavior, especially by newly introduced adult females. Adult females exhibited the strongest and longest-lasting response to changes in group composition. The results indicate that in this species (1) introductions of adult females can be carried out with acceptable risk to the newcomers provided that careful monitoring occurs, so that the onset of severe aggression instigated by resident females toward new females can be avoided, (2) juveniles can be introduced with minimal risk, and (3) adult males can be introduced into groups lacking resident adult males with minimal risk. Capuchins differ in important ways from the better-studied Old World monkeys in their response to introductions of strangers. The differences are instructive with regard to processes supporting species-typical social structure, which is less overtly hierarchical in capuchins than in macaques.