How smart was T. rex? Testing claims of exceptional cognition in dinosaurs and the application of neuron count estimates in palaeontological research
The Anatomical Record,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
307(12), С. 3685 - 3716
Опубликована: Апрель 26, 2024
Recent
years
have
seen
increasing
scientific
interest
in
whether
neuron
counts
can
act
as
correlates
of
diverse
biological
phenomena.
Lately,
Herculano-Houzel
(2023)
argued
that
fossil
endocasts
and
comparative
neurological
data
from
extant
sauropsids
allow
to
reconstruct
telencephalic
Mesozoic
dinosaurs
pterosaurs,
which
might
proxies
for
behaviors
life
history
traits
these
animals.
According
this
analysis,
large
theropods
such
Tyrannosaurus
rex
were
long-lived,
exceptionally
intelligent
animals
equipped
with
"macaque-
or
baboon-like
cognition",
whereas
sauropods
most
ornithischian
would
displayed
significantly
smaller
brains
an
ectothermic
physiology.
Besides
challenging
established
views
on
dinosaur
biology,
claims
raise
questions
count
estimates
could
benefit
research
general.
Here,
we
address
findings
by
revisiting
Herculano-Houzel's
work,
identifying
several
crucial
shortcomings
regarding
analysis
interpretation.
We
present
revised
encephalization
dinosaurs,
derive
phylogenetically
informed
modeling
amended
dataset
endocranial
measurements.
For
large-bodied
particular,
recover
lower
than
previously
proposed.
Furthermore,
review
the
suitability
variables
numbers
relative
brain
size
predict
cognitive
complexity,
metabolic
rate
coming
conclusion
they
are
flawed
Instead
relying
when
reconstructing
argue
integrative
studies
needed
approach
complex
subject.
Язык: Английский
Palaeognath birds innovate to solve a novel foraging problem
Scientific Reports,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
15(1)
Опубликована: Фев. 20, 2025
The
ability
to
innovate
implies
flexible
cognition,
and
is
used
as
a
broad
metric
of
intelligence.
Innovation
in
birds
has
been
intensively
studied
the
larger
more
taxonomically
diverse
Neognathae
clade
(particularly
crows
parrots)
overlooked
smaller
ancestral
Palaeognathae
clade.
current
study
provides
first
known
evidence
technical
innovation
palaeognath
birds.
We
tested
nine
individuals
three
species
move
hole
towards
chamber
access
food
reward.
This
problem
was
different
traditional
puzzle-boxes
where
an
obstacle
moved
away
from
chamber.
Three
emus
one
rhea
produced
wheel-turning
innovation,
moving
most
efficient
direction
(closer
nearest
item)
90%
cases.
One
dismantled
task
twice
by
removing
central
bolt,
which
we
suggest
second
type
it
did
not
persist
once
they
innovated
wheel
turning
solution.
Ostriches
innovate.
classify
palaeognaths
low
level/simplistic,
relying
on
general
exploration
asocial
trial
error
learning.
Our
research
suggests
that
may
have
evolved
far
earlier
than
previously
thought,
are
compelling
taxonomic
group
for
further
cognitive
research.
Язык: Английский
How smart wasT. rex? Testing claims of exceptional cognition in dinosaurs and the application of neuron count estimates in palaeontological research
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
unknown
Опубликована: Янв. 12, 2024
Recent
years
have
seen
increasing
scientific
interest
in
whether
neuron
counts
can
act
as
correlates
of
diverse
biological
phenomena.
Lately,
Herculano-Houzel
(2023)
argued
that
fossil
endocasts
and
comparative
neurological
data
from
extant
sauropsids
allow
to
reconstruct
telencephalic
Mesozoic
dinosaurs
pterosaurs,
which
might
proxies
for
behaviors
life
history
traits
these
animals.
According
this
analysis,
large
theropods
such
Tyrannosaurus
rex
were
long-lived,
exceptionally
intelligent
animals
equipped
with
'macaque-
or
baboon-like
cognition'
whereas
sauropods
well
most
ornithischian
would
displayed
significantly
smaller
brains
an
ectothermic
physiology.
Besides
challenging
established
views
on
dinosaur
biology,
claims
raise
questions
count
estimates
could
benefit
research
general.
Here,
we
address
findings
by
revisiting
Herculano-Houzel's
work,
identifying
several
crucial
shortcomings
regarding
analysis
interpretation.
We
present
revised
encephalization
dinosaurs,
derive
phylogenetically
informed
modeling
amended
dataset
endocranial
measurements.
For
large-bodied
particular,
recover
lower
than
previously
proposed.
Furthermore,
review
the
suitability
variables
numbers
relative
brain
size
predict
cognitive
complexity,
metabolic
rate
coming
conclusion
they
are
flawed
Instead
relying
when
reconstructing
argue
integrative
studies
needed
approach
complex
subject.
Язык: Английский
Vasopressin 1a receptor antagonist disrupts male-male affiliative relationships formed by triadic cohabitation in large-billed crows
Опубликована: Дек. 20, 2024
Same-sex
affiliative
relationships
are
common
in
humans
and
some
social
animals,
forming
one
of
the
bases
group
living.
The
neuropeptide
vasopressin
(VP)
its
receptors
mediate
these
behaviours
mammals
birds
with
gregarious
colonial
structures.
In
species,
between
dominant
subordinate
individuals
can
be
maintained
while
still
retaining
strict
dominance
hierarchies
where
three
or
more
interact.
However,
it
is
unclear
whether
triadic
interaction
promotes
relationships,
VP
system
also
involved
such
affiliations
due
to
lack
suitable
animal
models
experimental
settings.
This
study
addresses
questions
two
experiments.
Experiment
1,
two-week
cohabitation
among
male
crows
facilitated
particular
dyads
within
each
triad.
2,
1a
receptor
(V1aR)
antagonism
disrupted
led
resurgence
agonistic
affiliated
males
but
not
unaffiliated
ones
by
peripherally
administering
a
V1aR
antagonist.
These
findings
suggest
that
might
universally
same-sex
despite
differences
inherent
aggression
levels
individuals.
paradigm
established
here
could
advance
our
understanding
societies
applied
across
various
sexes,
Язык: Английский
Differences Teach Us More Than Similarities: The Need for Evolutionary Thinking in Comparative Cognition
Comparative Cognition & Behavior Reviews,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
19, С. 49 - 53
Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2024
A
persistent
anthropocentric
school
of
thought
prevents
comparative
cognition
from
truly
joining
the
evolutionary
sciences,
which
often
view
"cognition"
as
an
alien
subject
to
study
life.In
this
article,
I
argue
that
is
indeed
inherent
all
life
and
we
could
evolution
cognitive
skills
like
any
other
species-specific
trait
if
stop
elevating
convergence
over
differences,
adopt
inclusive
working
definition
cognition,
choose
new
model
organisms
with
a
strong
focus
on
phylogeny.
Язык: Английский
Vasopressin 1a receptor antagonist disrupts male-male affiliative relationships formed by triadic cohabitation in large-billed crows
Опубликована: Дек. 20, 2024
Same-sex
affiliative
relationships
are
common
in
humans
and
some
social
animals,
forming
one
of
the
bases
group
living.
The
neuropeptide
vasopressin
(VP)
its
receptors
mediate
these
behaviours
mammals
birds
with
gregarious
colonial
structures.
In
species,
between
dominant
subordinate
individuals
can
be
maintained
while
still
retaining
strict
dominance
hierarchies
where
three
or
more
interact.
However,
it
is
unclear
whether
triadic
interaction
promotes
relationships,
VP
system
also
involved
such
affiliations
due
to
lack
suitable
animal
models
experimental
settings.
This
study
addresses
questions
two
experiments.
Experiment
1,
two-week
cohabitation
among
male
crows
facilitated
particular
dyads
within
each
triad.
2,
1a
receptor
(V1aR)
antagonism
disrupted
led
resurgence
agonistic
affiliated
males
but
not
unaffiliated
ones
by
peripherally
administering
a
V1aR
antagonist.
These
findings
suggest
that
might
universally
same-sex
despite
differences
inherent
aggression
levels
individuals.
paradigm
established
here
could
advance
our
understanding
societies
applied
across
various
sexes,
Язык: Английский