Data from: Intertemporal choice in lemurs

Different species vary in their ability to wait for delayed rewards in
intertemporal choice tasks. Models of rate maximization account for part
of this variation, but other factors such as social structure and feeding
ecology seem to underly some species differences. Though studies have
evaluated intertemporal choice in several primate species, including Old
World monkeys, New World monkeys, and apes, prosimians have not been
tested. This study investigated intertemporal choices in three species of
lemur (black-and-white ruffed lemurs, Varecia variegata, red ruffed
lemurs, Varecia rubra, and black lemurs, Eulemur macaco) to assess how
they compare to other primate species and whether their choices are
consistent with rate maximization. We offered lemurs a choice between two
food items available immediately and six food items available after a
delay. We found that by adjusting the delay to the larger reward, the
lemurs were indifferent between the two options at a mean delay of 17 s,
ranging from 9-25 s. These data are comparable to data collected from
common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). The lemur data were not consistent
with models of rate maximization. The addition of lemurs to the list of
species tested in these tasks will help uncover the role of life history
and socio-ecological factors influencing intertemporal choices.