Estimating Cognitive Ability in the Wild: Validation of a Detour Test Paradigm Using a Cichlid Fish (Neolamprologus pulcher)

Fishes, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 9(2), P. 50 - 50

Published: Jan. 27, 2024

Cognitive abilities vary within and among species, several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this variation. Two of the most prominent regarding evolution cognition link increased social habitat complexity with advanced cognitive abilities. Several studies tested predictions derived from these two hypotheses, but were rarely conducted under natural conditions wild animals. However, is particular importance if we aim fitness-relevant factors better understand cognition. The biggest hurdle assessing in find a suitable setup that easy use field conditions. Here, set out evaluate an extremely simple test ability for broad range aquatic animals their habitat. We did so by developing detour paradigm which fish had clear obstacle reach food reward. By altering difficulty task, confirmed valid groups Lake Tanganyika cichlid, Neolamprologus pulcher. Subsequently, probed specific major using difficult configuration. Specifically, variation different sizes occupying habitats varying complexity. mixed support both hope our work inspires future investigations on cichlids.

Language: Английский

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Transcriptomic analysis of mosaic brain differentiation underlying complex division of labor in a social insect

The Journal of Comparative Neurology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 531(8), P. 853 - 865

Published: March 9, 2023

Concerted developmental programming may constrain changes in component structures of the brain, thus limiting ability selection to form an adaptive mosaic size-variable brain compartments independent total size or body size. Measuring patterns gene expression underpinning scaling conjunction with anatomical atlases can aid identifying influences concerted and/or evolution. Species exhibiting exceptional and behavioral polyphenisms provide excellent systems test predictions evolution models by quantifying expression. We examined a remarkably polymorphic behaviorally complex social insect, leafcutter ant Atta cephalotes. The majority significant differential observed among three morphologically, behaviorally, neuroanatomically differentiated worker groups was attributable However, we also found evidence unexplained morphological variation transcriptomic analysis identified not linearly correlated but sometimes mirroring neuropil scaling. Additionally, enriched ontology terms associated nucleic acid regulation, metabolism, neurotransmission, sensory perception, further supporting relationship between expression, mosaicism, labor role. These findings demonstrate that workers underpins neuroanatomical differentiation agrarian division A.

Language: Английский

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Does the expensive brain hypothesis apply to amphibians and reptiles?

BMC Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 23(1)

Published: Dec. 19, 2023

Abstract Vertebrate brains show extensive variation in relative size. The expensive brain hypothesis argues that one important source of this is linked to a species’ ability generate the energy required sustain brain, especially during periods unavoidable food scarcity. Here we ask whether hypothesis, tested so far endothermic vertebrates, also applies ectotherms, where ambient temperature an additional major aspect balance. Phylogenetic comparative analyses reptiles and amphibians support hypothesis. First, size increases with higher body those species active day can gain free by basking. Second, smaller among nocturnal species, which generally face less favorable budgets, when maintaining high temperature. However, do not find effect seasonal or on size, unlike endotherms. We conclude factors affecting balance ectotherms endotherms are overlapping but identical. therefore discuss idea temperatures seasonally very low, cognitive benefits may be thwarted selection larger rare. Indeed, mammalian hibernators similarities ectotherms.

Language: Английский

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Fisheries-induced life-history changes recover in experimentally harvested fish populations

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 20(11)

Published: Nov. 1, 2024

Overfishing is one of the greatest threats to fish populations. Size-selective harvesting favours faster juvenile growth, younger maturation, small adult body size and low reproductive output. Such changes might be slow recover ultimately threaten population fitness survival. To study recovery potential exploited experimental populations, we compared life-history traits in three differently size-selected lines (large-selected, small-selected random-selected) after five generations 10 subsequent (i.e. cessation harvesting). We show that a period twice as long period, differences among selection have eroded. While there was still significant difference lines, this did not translate success. Although size-selective causes phenotypic such are reversible if enough.

Language: Английский

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Large brain in undisturbed headwaters: validation of general evolutionary predictions from a local-scale perspective

Evolutionary Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 9, 2024

Language: Английский

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