Training primates to forage in virtual 3D environments

Behavioural Processes, vol. 224, pp. 105126

Abstract

Virtual environment software is increasingly being employed as a non-invasive method in primate cognition research. Familiar and novel stimuli can be presented in new ways, opening the door to studying aspects of cognition in captivity which previously may not have been feasible. Despite the increased complexity of visual input compared to more traditional computerised studies, several groups of captive primates have now been trained to navigate virtual three-dimensional environments. Here, we outline a method for training primates to use a computerised virtual foraging task presented on a touchscreen. We document how to tailor this method to groups facing different training challenges. We present data from three groups: touchscreen-experienced chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), touchscreen-naïve orang-utans (Pongo abelii), and chimpanzees tested in a group setting. Subjects from all groups mastered basic navigation challenges with relative ease (some in as little as 16 days), setting them up for systematic studies of primate cognition within virtual environments. The training method we present is flexible, yet structured, and we encourage other researchers to adapt it to implement virtual environment research with more individuals and across more species.

Authors 10

1. Emma Suvi McEwen

   University of St Andrews

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, UK. Electronic address: esm7@st-andrews.ac.uk

2. Matthias Allritz

   Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Comparative Cultural Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Germany

3. Josep Call

   University of St Andrews

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, UK

4. Sarah E. Koopman

   University of St Andrews

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, UK

5. Emilie Rapport Munro

   University of St Andrews

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, UK

6. Cristóbal J Bottero Cantuarias

   Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Comparative Cultural Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Germany

7. Charles R. Menzel

   Georgia State University

   Affiliation as printed

   Language Research Center, Georgia State University, USA

8. Francine L. Dolins

   University of Michigan–Dearborn

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Behavioral Sciences, University of Michigan, Dearborn, USA

   Department of Behavioral Sciences, University of Michigan-Dearborn, USA

9. Karline R. L. Janmaat Aachen

   Leiden University · University of Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Evolutionary and Population Biology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands; Department of Cognitive Psychology, Leiden University, Netherlands; ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo, Amsterdam, Netherlands

   Evolutionary and Population Biology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Cognitive Psychology, Leiden University, the Netherlands; ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

10. Ken Schweller
    Affiliation as printed

    Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative, Des Moines, IA, USA