The abilities to perform skilled hand movements and to manipulate objects dexterously are landmarks in the evolution
of primates. The study of how primates use their hands to grasp and manipulate objects in accordance with
their needs sheds light on how these species are physically and mentally equipped to deal with the problems they
encounter in their daily life. We report data on capuchin monkeys, highly manipulative platyrrhine species that usually
spend a great deal of time in active manipulation to search for food and to prepare it for ingestion. Our aim is to
provide an overview of current knowledge on the ability of capuchins to grasp and manipulate objects, with a special
focus on how these species express their cognitive potential through manual behaviour. Data on the ability of capuchins
to move their hands and on the neural correlates sustaining their actions are reported, as are findings on the
manipulative ability of capuchins to anticipate future actions and to relate objects to other objects and substrates.
The manual behaviour of capuchins is considered in different domains, such as motor planning, extractive foraging
and tool use, in both captive and natural settings. Anatomofunctional and behavioural similarities to and differences
from other haplorrhine species regarding manual dexterity are also discussed.
