Reciprocity of cooperative behaviour in cotton-top tamarins (saguinus oedipus) housed at the Rome Bioparco

Research by CNR – Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies in collaboration with the Rome Bioparco

This research aims at investigating the reciprocity in grooming and food sharing in cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) housed at the Rome Bioparco.

Cotton-top tamarins live in large family groups characterized by high degrees of kinship between the individuals in the group and a high frequency of cooperative behaviours such as grooming and sharing of food.

Since it’s a quite little studied species, it’s not clear how kinship and reciprocity interact in determining the distribution of cooperative behaviours within the group.

WARNING

Due to the documented presence of West Nile Virus in Rome and the Lazio region, we recommend following the measures indicated by the Italian Ministry of Health: Ministero della Salute – West Nile, cosa c’è da sapere.

These measures are intended to reduce the risk of mosquito bites from mosquitoes that can transmit the virus.

We suggest:

  • using mosquito repellent on exposed skin;
  • wearing light-coloured clothing that covers as much skin as possible.

Bioparco has already taken measures to reduce mosquito numbers within the park. Visitors who do not have mosquito repellent with them can receive it free of charge at the entrance.