Learn and Let Learn : Comparative Cognition and Social Learning in Bats

摘要: Bats are unusual among mammals in showing great ecological diversity even closely related species and thus well suited for studies of adaptation to the background. Here we investigate whether behavioral flexibility simpleand complex-rule learning performance can be predicted by foraging ecology. We predict faster higher animals hunting more complex, variable environments than simple, stable environments. To test this hypothesis, studied three insectivorous European bat genus Myotis that belong different functional groups based on habitats: M. capaccinii, an open water forager, myotis, a passive listening gleaner, emarginatus, clutter specialist. capaccinii would show least slowest reflecting its relatively unstructured habitat stereotypy natural behavior, while other two greater rapid complexity their tasks. used purposefully unnatural species-fair crawling maze learning, re-learning performance. found learned simple rule as fast species, but was slower complex less flexible response changes reward location. no differences ability species. Our results corroborate hypothesis animals’ cognitive skills reflect demands niche. Ecological have been postulated driving factor evolution intelligence (Parker & Gibson 1977; Overington et al. 2008). The abilities often adapted requirements niche (e.g., Rozin Kalat 1971; Dukas Ratcliffe 2009). Migratory bird example,