Cuttlefish exert self-control in a delay of gratification task.

ABSTRACT: The ability to exert self-control varies within and across taxa. Some species can exert self-control for several seconds whereas others, such as large-brained vertebrates, can tolerate delays of up to several minutes. Advanced self-control has been linked to better performance in cognitive tasks and has been hypothesized to evolve in response to specific socio-ecological pressures. These pressures are difficult to uncouple because previously studied species face similar socio-ecological challenges. Here, we investigate self-control and learning performance in cuttlefish, an invertebrate that is thought to have evolved under partially different pressures to previously studied vertebrates. To test self-control, cuttlefish were presented with a delay maintenance task, which measures an indivi

SUBMITTER: Schnell AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7935110 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature