Population-Level Right Handedness for a Coordinated Bimanual Task in Chimpanzees: Replication and Extension in a Second Colony of Apes

Authors: Hopkins W.D.¹; Hook M.²; Braccini S.³; Schapiro S.J.⁴

Source: International Journal of Primatology, Volume 24, Number 3, June 2003 , pp. 677-689(13)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of previously published findings on hand preferences in chimpanzees by evaluating hand use in a second colony of captive chimpanzees. We assessed hand preferences for a coordinated bimanual task in 116 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and compared them to previously published findings in captive chimpanzees at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center. The new sample showed significant population-level right handedness, which is consistent with previously published findings in the Yerkes chimpanzees. Combined data on the 2 chimpanzee colonies, revealed a significant effect of rearing history on hand preference, with wild-caught chimpanzees showing less right-handedness than captive-born mother-reared chimpanzees. We discuss the results in terms of the role of early environment on the development of laterality.

Keywords: laterality; chimpanzees; handedness; rearing effects; replication

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Division of Psychobiology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322. Department of Psychology, Berry College, Mount Berry, Georgia 30149 2: Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843 3: Department of Psychology, Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas 78726 4: Department of Psychology, Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas 78726. Department of Veterinary Sciences, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas 78602

Publication date: 2003-06-01