Fish cognition: a primate's eye view |
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Authors: | Redouan Bshary Wolfgang Wickler Hans Fricke |
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Institution: | (1) University of Cambridge, Department of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK,;(2) Max-Planck-Institut für Verhaltensphysiologie Seewiesen, 82319 Starnberg, Germany, |
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Abstract: | We provide selected examples from the fish literature of phenomena found in fish that are currently being examined in discussions
of cognitive abilities and evolution of neocortex size in primates. In the context of social intelligence, we looked at living
in individualised groups and corresponding social strategies, social learning and tradition, and co-operative hunting. Regarding
environmental intelligence, we searched for examples concerning special foraging skills, tool use, cognitive maps, memory,
anti-predator behaviour, and the manipulation of the environment. Most phenomena of interest for primatologists are found
in fish as well. We therefore conclude that more detailed studies on decision rules and mechanisms are necessary to test for
differences between the cognitive abilities of primates and other taxa. Cognitive research can benefit from future fish studies
in three ways: first, as fish are highly variable in their ecology, they can be used to determine the specific ecological
factors that select for the evolution of specific cognitive abilities. Second, for the same reason they can be used to investigate
the link between cognitive abilities and the enlargement of specific brain areas. Third, decision rules used by fish could
be used as 'null-hypotheses' for primatologists looking at how monkeys might make their decisions. Finally, we propose a variety
of fish species that we think are most promising as study objects.
Accepted after revision: 6 September 2001
Electronic Publication |
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Keywords: | Fish Primates Cognition Intelligence Learning |
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