The Primate Research
Institute (PRI) of Kyoto
University in Japan has
conducted extensive research
on the transmission of
culture in various primate
species, particularly in
Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) and other
primates. Culture transmission in primates refers to
the passing down of learned behaviors, traditions, or
customs from one generation to the next within a
social group. Here are some key aspects of the
research on this topic at PRI:1. **Japanese Macaques**: Japanese macaques,
also known as snow monkeys, are one of the
primary subjects of culture transmission studies at
PRI. These monkeys are highly social and live in large
groups, making them ideal for studying social
learning and cultural behaviors.2. **Cultural Behaviors**: Researchers at PRI have
identified various cultural behaviors in Japanese
macaques. These behaviors include food
preferences, grooming techniques, tool use, and
social customs that differ among different groups of
macaques. These variations are learned and passed
down through generations, rather than being the
result of genetic differences.3. **Food Preferences**: One of the well-known
examples of cultural transmission in Japanese
macaques is their food preferences. Different groups
of macaques have been observed to prefer certain
types of food, and these preferences are not related
to the availability of the food in their environment.transmission of culture in monkeys at the
Primate Research Institute of Kyoto
University, Japan