Heterochrony in chimpanzee and bonobo spatial memory development.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The emergence of human-unique cognitive abilities has been linked to our species' extended juvenile period. Comparisons of cognitive development across species can provide new insights into the evolutionary mechanisms shaping cognition. This study examined the development of different components of spatial memory, cognitive mechanisms that support complex foraging, by comparing two species with similar life history that vary in wild ecology: bonobos (Pan paniscus) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

Materials and methods

Spatial memory development was assessed using a cross-sectional experimental design comparing apes ranging from infancy to adulthood. Study 1 tested 73 sanctuary-living apes on a task examining recall of a single location after a 1-week delay, comp

SUBMITTER: Rosati AG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6510607 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature