Specialized use of two fingers in free‐ranging aye‐ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis)
Specialized use of two fingers in free‐ranging aye‐ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis)
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DOI：
10.1002/ajp.20548
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发表时间：
2008-08
影响因子：
2.4
通讯作者：
S. Lhota;Tomáš Jůnek;L. Bartoš;A. Kuběna
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
S. Lhota;Tomáš Jůnek;L. Bartoš;A. Kuběna
狐猴（马达加斯加狐猴）拥有一只高度专门化的手，有两个手指，第三和第四个，以一种其他灵长类动物无法比拟的方式使用。我们观察了四只自由活动的指猴在各种活动中使用第三和第四手指的情况。我们发现，细的第三指专门用于或优选用于敲击，插入口中（可能是为了清洁牙齿），并探测竹子，树枝和活木材中的花蜜，内核和昆虫。与此相反，强大的第四个手指时，最好用吃菠萝蜜（木菠萝）。当探测软植物组织和枯木中的无脊椎动物时，两个手指的使用比例很高。为了从椰子中提取内容物，两个手指显然用于不同的任务。从这个小的（686个观察结果），但独特的，对自由活动的指狐猴的研究中，我们得出结论，第三根手指似乎专门用于需要高机动性，灵敏度和精确度的任务，而第四根手指似乎专门用于需要力量，铲动作和深入的任务。Am. J. Primatol. 70：786-795，2008.© 2008 Wiley利斯公司
The aye‐aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) possesses a highly specialized hand with two fingers, the third and the fourth, being used in a way unparalleled by any other primate. We observed the use of the third and the fourth fingers in various activities in four free‐ranging aye‐ayes. We found that the thin third finger was used exclusively or preferably for tapping, inserting into the mouth (probably for cleaning the teeth) and probing for nectar, kernels and insects in bamboo, twigs and live wood. In contrast, the robust fourth finger was used preferably when eating jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus). When probing for invertebrates in soft plant tissues and in dead wood, both fingers were used in high proportions. To extract the contents from coconuts, the two fingers were apparently used for different tasks. From this small (686 observations), but unique, study of free‐ranging aye‐ayes, we conclude that the third finger appears to be specialized for use in tasks requiring high mobility, sensitivity and precision, whereas the fourth finger appears to be specialized for tasks requiring strength, scooping action and deep access. Am. J. Primatol. 70:786–795, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.