Stone Throwing as a Sexual Display in Wild Female Bearded Capuchin Monkeys, Sapajus libidinosus

Researchers have documented stone throwing as a novel sexual display behavior among wild female bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) in Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil. This behavior was observed during the proceptive phase of three females over two years, with the behavior later spreading to additional females within the same social group. The study suggests this may represent a cultural diffusion of a new behavioral trait rather than independent innovations, given its absence in other capuchin groups. Observations included targeted stone throwing at males, alongside other known proceptive behaviors such as facial expressions and vocalizations. This discovery expands our understanding of capuchin communication and sexual display repertoires in the wild.

Falótico, T., & Ottoni, E. B. (2013). Stone Throwing as a Sexual Display in Wild Female Bearded Capuchin Monkeys, Sapajus libidinosus. PLoS ONE, 8(11), e79535. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0079535