scholarly journals Learning outdoors: male lizards show flexible spatial learning under semi-natural conditions

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 946-948 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel W. A. Noble ◽  
Pau Carazo ◽  
Martin J. Whiting
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Learning ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Learning Task ◽  
Spatial Task ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Experimental Procedure ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
Learning Outdoors ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Spatial Learning Task

Spatial cognition is predicted to be a fundamental component of fitness in many lizard species, and yet some studies suggest that it is relatively slow and inflexible. However, such claims are based on work conducted using experimental designs or in artificial contexts that may underestimate their cognitive abilities. We used a biologically realistic experimental procedure (using simulated predatory attacks) to study spatial learning and its flexibility in the lizard Eulamprus quoyii in semi-natural outdoor enclosures under similar conditions to those experienced by lizards in the wild. To evaluate the flexibility of spatial learning, we conducted a reversal spatial-learning task in which positive and negative reinforcements of learnt spatial stimuli were switched. Nineteen (32%) male lizards learnt both tasks within 10 days (spatial task mean: 8.16 ± 0.69 (s.e.) and reversal spatial task mean: 10.74 ± 0.98 (s.e.) trials). We demonstrate that E. quoyii are capable of flexible spatial learning and suggest that future studies focus on a range of lizard species which differ in phylogeny and/or ecology, using biologically relevant cognitive tasks, in an effort to bridge the cognitive divide between ecto- and endotherms.

scholarly journals Incubation under climate warming affects learning ability and survival in hatchling lizards

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 20170002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Buddhi Dayananda ◽  
Jonathan K. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Learning ◽  
Climate Warming ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Incubation Temperature ◽  
Learning Ability ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Southeastern Australia ◽  
Temperature Regimes ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Incubation Temperatures

Despite compelling evidence for substantial individual differences in cognitive performance, it is unclear whether cognitive ability influences fitness of wild animals. In many animals, environmental stressors experienced in utero can produce substantial variation in the cognitive abilities of offspring. In reptiles, incubation temperatures experienced by embryos can influence hatchling brain function and learning ability. Under climate warming, the eggs of some lizard species may experience higher temperatures, which could affect the cognitive abilities of hatchlings. Whether such changes in cognitive abilities influence the survival of hatchlings is unknown. To determine whether incubation-induced changes in spatial learning ability affect hatchling survival, we incubated velvet gecko, Amalosia lesueurii , eggs using two fluctuating temperature regimes to mimic current (cold) versus future (hot) nest temperatures. We measured the spatial learning ability of hatchlings from each treatment, and released individually marked animals at two field sites in southeastern Australia. Hatchlings from hot-incubated eggs were slower learners than hatchlings from cold-incubated eggs. Survival analyses revealed that hatchlings with higher learning scores had higher survival than hatchlings with poor learning scores. Our results show that incubation temperature affects spatial learning ability in hatchling lizards, and that such changes can influence the survival of hatchlings in the wild.

scholarly journals Sex and boldness explain individual differences in spatial learning in a lizard

2014 ◽  
Vol 281 (1782) ◽  
pp. 20133275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pau Carazo ◽  
Daniel W. A. Noble ◽  
Dani Chandrasoma ◽  
Martin J. Whiting
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Spatial Learning ◽  
Environmental Variability ◽  
Learning Task ◽  
Spatial Task ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Behavioural Types

Understanding individual differences in cognitive performance is a major challenge to animal behaviour and cognition studies. We used the Eastern water skink ( Eulamprus quoyii ) to examine associations between exploration, boldness and individual variability in spatial learning, a dimension of lizard cognition with important bearing on fitness. We show that males perform better than females in a biologically relevant spatial learning task. This is the first evidence for sex differences in learning in a reptile, and we argue that it is probably owing to sex-specific selective pressures that may be widespread in lizards. Across the sexes, we found a clear association between boldness after a simulated predatory attack and the probability of learning the spatial task. In contrast to previous studies, we found a nonlinear association between boldness and learning: both ‘bold’ and ‘shy’ behavioural types were more successful learners than intermediate males. Our results do not fit with recent predictions suggesting that individual differences in learning may be linked with behavioural types via high–low-risk/reward trade-offs. We suggest the possibility that differences in spatial cognitive performance may arise in lizards as a consequence of the distinct environmental variability and complexity experienced by individuals as a result of their sex and social tactics.

Personality tests predict responses to a spatial-learning task in mallards, Anas platyrhynchos

2015 ◽  
Vol 110 ◽  
pp. 145-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe A.H. Bousquet ◽  
Odile Petit ◽  
Mathilde Arrivé ◽  
Jean-Patrice Robin ◽  
Cédric Sueur
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Learning ◽  
Anas Platyrhynchos ◽  
Learning Task ◽  
Personality Tests ◽  
Spatial Learning Task

Sympatric species of threespine stickleback differ in their performance in a spatial learning task

2008 ◽  
Vol 62 (12) ◽  
pp. 1935-1945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy C. Odling-Smee ◽  
Janette W. Boughman ◽  
Victoria A. Braithwaite
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Learning ◽  
Learning Task ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Threespine Stickleback ◽  
Spatial Learning Task
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