A social developmental study of young monkeys (Callithrix jacchus) within a captive family group

Abstract

Quantitative data were collected on the behaviour of one captive family group of common marmoset monkeys over some six months, which included a period immediately before the birth of a third set of twins, and up to the birth of the fourth set. Data were consistently collected on marking, auto and social grooming, as well as on three general categories of play behaviour. In addition, observations were recorded on the carrying of infants by other members of their family, until the end of the fourth week after the birth. The study demonstrated quantitative changes in the behaviour of juvenile and adult members of the family, and indicated the time scale of increasing involvement of the youngest monkeys in some of the major patterns of behaviour in the life of a family social unit.