Familiarity modulates both intra- and interspecific yawn contagion in red-capped mangabeys.

Yawn contagion (YC) is, compared to spontaneous yawning, an evolutionary recent phenomenon probably linked to behavioral synchronization in highly social species that is more likely when it involves familiar subjects. Here, we investigate for the first time in monkeys which factors modulate intra- and interspecific YC. Through an experimental approach, we exposed 17 red-capped mangabeys to video stimuli (Yawn vs Control) depicting familiar/unfamiliar red-capped mangabeys and humans, and unfamiliar hamadryas.

Intentional gestural communication amongst red-capped mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus).

Apes, human's closest living relatives, are renowned for their intentional and highly flexible use of gestural communication. In stark contrast, evidence for flexible and intentional gestural communication in monkeys is scarce. Here, we investigated the intentionality and flexibility of spontaneous gesture use in red-capped mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus).

Context-Dependent Gestural Laterality: A Multifactorial Analysis in Captive Red-Capped Mangabeys.

Catarrhine primates gesture preferentially with their right hands, which led to the hypothesis of a gestural origin of human left-hemispheric specialization for language. However, the factors influencing this gestural laterality remain understudied in non-hominoid species, particularly in intraspecific contexts, although it may bring valuable insights into the proximate and ultimate causes of language lateralization. We present here a preliminary investigation of intraspecific gestural laterality in catarrhine monkeys, red-capped mangabeys ().

Facial displays in red-capped mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus): Repertoire, social context, and potential intentionality.

Primate communication relies strongly on the visual modality, notably through the production of a wide range of expressive facial signals. We investigated here the facial display repertoire of a relatively little-studied cercopithecid species, red-capped mangabeys (), and questioned whether their facial displays were dependent on social contexts and accompanied by indices of intentionality. Although the dual intentional and emotional use of apes' facial expressions has recently been suggested, the question of whether monkeys produce facial expressions intentionally to communicate remains open.

Red-capped mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus) adapt their interspecific gestural communication to the recipient's behaviour.

Sensitivity to recipient's attention and responsiveness are critical markers of intentional communication. Although previous research showed that ape gestures can be intentional, few studies have yet addressed this question concerning monkeys. Here, we characterise the effect of a recipient's presence, attentional state and responsiveness on the interspecific gestural communication of captive red-capped mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus).