Nine-spined sticklebacks deploy a hill-climbing social learning strategy

摘要: Theoretical models on the adaptive advantages of social learning lead to conclusion that copying cannot be indiscriminate and individuals should adopt evolved behavioral strategies dictate circumstances under which they copy others from whom learn. Strategies exhibit hill-climbing properties, would allow a population converge fitness-maximizing behavior over repeated events, are particular significance due their potentially critical role in cumulative cultural evolution. Here, we provide experimental evidence nine-spined sticklebacks (Pungitius pungitius) use public information adaptively accordance with strategy. Sticklebacks switch patch preferences exploit more profitable food if returns demonstrator fish greater than own but less likely when low-profitability patches demonstrated. These findings reinforce argument public-information is an specialization. More generally, observation this sophisticated form species supports view presence enhanced may predicted better by specific sources selection relatedness humans.