Cleaner fish with mirror self-recognition capacity precisely realize their body size based on their mental image.

ABSTRACT: Animals exhibiting mirror self-recognition (MSR) are considered self-aware; however, studies on their level of self-awareness remain inconclusive. Recent research has indicated the potential for cleaner fish (Labroides dimidiatus) to possess a sophisticated level of private self-awareness. However, as this study revealed only an aspect of private self-awareness, further investigation into other elements is essential to substantiate this hypothesis. Here, we show that cleaner fish, having attained MSR, construct a mental image of their bodies by investigating their ability to recall body size. A size-based hierarchy governs the outcomes of their confrontations. The mirror-naïve fish behaved aggressively when presented with photographs of two unfamiliar conspecifics that were 10% larger and

SUBMITTER: Kobayashi T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11390716 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature