Linking cognition with fitness in a wild primate: fitness correlates of problem-solving performance and spatial learning ability.

ABSTRACT: Linking the cognitive performance of wild animals with fitness consequences is crucial for understanding evolutionary processes that shape individual variation in cognition. However, the few studies that have examined these links revealed differing relationships between various cognitive performance measures and fitness proxies. To contribute additional comparative data to this body of research, we linked individual performance during repeated problem-solving and spatial learning ability in a maze with body condition and survival in wild grey mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus). All four variables exhibited substantial inter-individual variation. Solving efficiency in the problem-solving task, but not spatial learning performance, predicted the magnitude of change in body condition after the

SUBMITTER: Huebner F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6107563 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature