Ecological Factors Affecting Prosociality in Marmoset Monkeys

Abstract

Prosocial behaviors, such as cooperation and food sharing, are critical for maintaining group cohesion in social species, yet the influence of transient physiological states on these behaviors remains poorly understood. This study investigates how short-term ecological factors impact social behavior in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), a highly prosocial nonhuman primate species. Specifically, we tested how food divisibility (small vs. large food items) and time since food access (TSFA; 0 hours, 1 hour, and 3 hours) influenced food sharing behavior. Results revealed that larger food portions consistently promoted prosocial interactions, while longer durations since food access shifted behavior toward individualism. A significant interaction between TSFA and food size indicates that the effect of food size on prosocial behavior varies with hunger state: increasing TSFA weakens the prosocial impact of large food portions. These findings suggest that marmoset prosociality is sensitive to immediate ecological conditions, reflecting flexible, context-dependent social decision-making.