Female bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) use objects to solicit the sexual partner.

Female bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) in Serra da Capivara National Park and another population use stones or branches to solicit sexual partners, primarily the alpha male. This behavior, observed during one-way courtship phases before male reciprocation, suggests an affiliative intent to attract attention. The study, involving video recordings of four females over nine proceptive periods, found that 95% of episodes involved pushing or dropping objects, with 93% linked to affiliative behaviors. Notably, only the female not using objects solicited a subordinate male. These findings highlight a potential link between tool-use in foraging and courtship behavior, raising questions about whether such behaviors are exclusive to populations already primed for object use.

Visalberghi, E., Di Bernardi, C., Marino, L. A., Fragaszy, D., & Izar, P. (2017). Female bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) use objects to solicit the sexual partner. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 131(3), 207–213. https://doi.org/10.1037/com0000072