scholarly journals A four-questions perspective on public information use in sticklebacks (Gasterosteidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 181735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike M. Webster ◽  
Laura Chouinard-Thuly ◽  
Gabor Herczeg ◽  
Jun Kitano ◽  
Riva Riley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Information Use ◽  
Ecological Specialization ◽  
Pungitius Pungitius ◽  
Culaea Inconstans ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Relative Quality

Whether learning primarily reflects general processes or species-specific challenges is a long-standing matter of dispute. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of public information use (PI-use) in sticklebacks (Gasterosteidae). PI-use is a form of social learning by which animals are able to assess the relative quality of resources, here prey patches, by observing the behaviour of others. PI-use was highly specific with only Pungitius and their closest relative Culaea inconstans showing evidence of PI-use. We saw no effects of ontogenetic experience upon PI-use in Pungitius pungitius . Experiments with live demonstrators and animated fish revealed that heightened activity and feeding strikes by foraging conspecifics are important cues in the transmission of PI. Finally, PI-use was the only form of learning in which P. pungitius and another stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus differed. PI-use in sticklebacks is species-specific and may represent an ‘ecological specialization’ for social foraging. Whether this reflects selection on perception, attentional or cognitive processes remains to be determined.

scholarly journals Public information use by foraging ninespine sticklebacks: Social learning or an unlearned social influence on travel direction?

Behaviour ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 152 (11) ◽  
pp. 1569-1584 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.M. Webster ◽  
K.N. Laland
Keyword(s):  
Social Learning ◽  
Feeding Activity ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Information Use ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Pungitius Pungitius ◽  
Social Effect ◽  
Patch Choice ◽  
Evolutionary Origins ◽  
Indirect Route

If we are to understand the cognitive basis and evolutionary origins of a particular behaviour, it is necessary to identify its underlying mechanism. Ninespine sticklebacks (Pungitius pungitius) can identify the richer of two prey patches by observing other foragers’ success. This may be due to social learning, or an unlearned social effect on travel direction, brought about by the fish being more likely to face and subsequently travel towards areas where they have observed more feeding activity. Here we show that observer orientation does not predict patch choice, and that fish are still more likely to spend more time in richer patches even if they have to take an indirect route to reach them. This suggests that sticklebacks can learn the location of the richer patch through observation, and viewed in conjunction with other published findings, suggests that learned local enhancement lies behind public information use in this species.

The systematics and zoogeography of Gyrodactylus species (Monogenea) parasitizing gasterosteid fishes in North America

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 956-960 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. K. Cone ◽  
M. Wiles
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Pacific Coast ◽  
Sister Species ◽  
Pungitius Pungitius ◽  
Culaea Inconstans ◽  
Fresh Material ◽  
Apeltes Quadracus ◽  
Unidentified Species ◽  
Host Fishes

The systematics and zoogeography of Gyrodactylus from gasterosteid fishes (Apeltes quadracus, Culaea inconstans, Pungitius pungitius, Gasterosteus aculeatus, and G. wheatlandi) in North America were examined through a study of museum-held specimens and fresh material collected from localities across Canada. Six species are considered specific to these fishes, namely: G. alexanderi Mizelle and Kritsky, 1967, G. avalonia Hanek and Threlfall, 1969 (syn. G. lairdi Hanek and Threlfall, 1969, G. memorialis Hanek and Threlfall, 1969, G. terranovae Hanek and Threlfall, 1969), G. canadensis Hanek and Threlfall, 1969, G. cameroni Hanek and Threlfall, 1970, G. eucaliae lkezaki and Hoffman, 1957, and an unidentified species resembling G. pungitii Malmberg, 1964. The fauna has striking morphological similarities to that parasitizing the same host fishes in Eurasia. In fact, G. avalonia, G. canadensis, and the unconfirmed species are considered sister species to G. arcuatus Bychowsky, 1933, G. branchicus Malmberg, 1964, and G. pungitii, respectively. The match-ups are considered to have evolved from three lineages that parasitized G. aculeatus and P. pungitius prior to Pleistocene dispersal that resulted in these fishes and their parasites extending over much of the northern hemisphere. Gyrodactylus cameroni from A. quadracus is probably of North American origin and a sister species of G. avalonia. Gyrodactylus alexanderi from Pacific coast G. aculeatus and G. eucaliae from C. inconstans in the continent's central region have ties with a Pacific lineage. The parasites' geographical distributions and possible evolutionary histories since Pleistocene glaciation are discussed.

How Does Mindfulness Affect Cognition? A Reflection on Confounding Issues Surrounding Mindfulness-based Intervention Research Targeting Cognitive Outcomes

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R Vago ◽  
Resh Gupta ◽  
Sara Lazar
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Existing Data

One potential pathway by which mindfulness-based meditation improves health outcomes is through changes in cognitive functioning. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) was conducted with a focus on assessing the state of the evidence for effects on cognitive processes and associated assays. Here, we comment on confounding issues surrounding the reporting of these and related findings, including 1) criteria that appropriately define an MBI; 2) limitations of assays used to measure cognition; and 3) methodological quality of MBI trials and reporting of findings. Because these issues contribute to potentially distorted interpretations of existing data, we offer constructive means for interpretation and recommendations for moving the field of mindfulness research forward regarding the effects on cognition.

Investigating the Ease-of-Retrieval Effect in an Eyewitness Context

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy Groncki ◽  
Jennifer L Beaudry ◽  
James D. Sauer
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Memory Studies ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Perceived Quality ◽  
Expected Effect ◽  
Bayesian Testing ◽  
Finding Study ◽  
Identification Confidence

The way in which individuals think about their own cognitive processes plays an important role in various domains. When eyewitnesses assess their confidence in identification decisions, they could be influenced by how easily relevant information comes to mind. This ease-of-retrieval effect has a robust influence on people’s cognitions in a variety of contexts (e.g., attitudes), but it has not yet been applied to eyewitness decisions. In three studies, we explored whether the ease with which eyewitnesses recall certain memorial information influenced their identification confidence assessments and related testimony-relevant judgements (e.g., perceived quality of view). We manipulated the number of reasons participants gave to justify their identification (Study 1; N = 343), and also the number of instances they provided of a weak or strong memory (Studies 2a & 2b; Ns = 350 & 312, respectively). Across the three studies, ease-of-retrieval did not affect eyewitnesses’ confidence or other testimony-relevant judgements. We then tried—and failed—to replicate Schwarz et al.’s (1991) original ease-of-retrieval finding (Study 3; N = 661). In three of the four studies, ease-of-retrieval had the expected effect on participants’ perceived task difficulty; however, frequentist and Bayesian testing showed no evidence for an effect on confidence or assertiveness ratings.

scholarly journals Enhancing the Quality of Two Species of Baby Leaves Sprayed with Moringa Leaf Extract as Biostimulant

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1399
Author(s):  
Stefania Toscano ◽  
Antonio Ferrante ◽  
Ferdinando Branca ◽  
Daniela Romano
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Extract ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Nitrate Content ◽  
Specific Response ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Moringa Oleifera Lam

Natural biostimulants obtained by plants are intensively used nowadays to improve crop yield and quality. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of leaf extract of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) (MLE) in modifying baby leaf characteristics of two genotypes of Brassica. The trial was started in October 2020 in a greenhouse; a cultivar of kale ‘Cavolo Laciniato Nero di Toscana’ (CL) and a Sicilian landrace of sprouting broccoli ‘Broccoli Nero’ (BN) were used. The plants, after 15, 30 and 40 days from sowing, were treated with MLE, while the control plants (C) with distilled water. Treatment with MLE modified morphological and nutritional value, but with different behavior in the two genotypes. In fact, in BN the treatment reduced the antioxidant activity (2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)) by 54%, while in CL the treatment increased this parameter by 40%. For the phenolic concentration and the sugar content the values recorded were significantly increased by MLE compared to control plants in CL, where in BN a significant reduction was registered. The CL plants treated with MLE showed a significant reduction (−70%) in nitrate content compared to the control plants; a negative effect was, instead, observed in BN, where the plants treated with moringa showed an increase of 60%. Results of this study showed how the foliar application of MLE was effective in improving various nutraceutical parameters, in particular in kale, because it appears to be a species-specific response.

scholarly journals Experimental Tests for Measuring Individual Attentional Characteristics in Songbirds

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2233
Author(s):  
Loïc Pougnault ◽  
Hugo Cousillas ◽  
Christine Heyraud ◽  
Ludwig Huber ◽  
Martine Hausberger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Comparative Research ◽  
Visual Stimuli ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
European Starling ◽  
Auditory Stimuli ◽  
The Core ◽  
Cognitive Studies ◽  
Individual Variations ◽  
Species Specific

Attention is defined as the ability to process selectively one aspect of the environment over others and is at the core of all cognitive processes such as learning, memorization, and categorization. Thus, evaluating and comparing attentional characteristics between individuals and according to situations is an important aspect of cognitive studies. Recent studies showed the interest of analyzing spontaneous attention in standardized situations, but data are still scarce, especially for songbirds. The present study adapted three tests of attention (towards visual non-social, visual social, and auditory stimuli) as tools for future comparative research in the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris), a species that is well known to present individual variations in social learning or engagement. Our results reveal that attentional characteristics (glances versus gazes) vary according to the stimulus broadcasted: more gazes towards unusual visual stimuli and species-specific auditory stimuli and more glances towards species-specific visual stimuli and hetero-specific auditory stimuli. This study revealing individual variations shows that these tests constitute a very useful and easy-to-use tool for evaluating spontaneous individual attentional characteristics and their modulation by a variety of factors. Our results also indicate that attentional skills are not a uniform concept and depend upon the modality and the stimulus type.

An Evaluation of Volatility Forecasting Techniques

Metamorphosis ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-124
Author(s):  
Madhusudan Karmakar
Keyword(s):  
Stock Market ◽  
Market Volatility ◽  
Stock Market Volatility ◽  
Relative Ability ◽  
Conflicting Evidence ◽  
Competing Models ◽  
Relative Quality ◽  
Indian Data ◽  
Naive Model

The existing literature contains conflicting evidence regarding the relative quality of stock market volatility forecasts. This paper employs daily Indian data to examine the relative ability of various models to forecast monthly stock market volatility. The forecasting models which were selected range from naive model to relatively complex GARCH model. While it is difficult to claim superiority of any one model under all measures used to assess the accuracy of the forecast, the overall results clearly identify two competing models i.e., the RWM and GARCH (1, 1).

Parasites of Freshwater and Anadromous Fishes from Matamek River System, Quebec

1974 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 1135-1139 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Hanek ◽  
Kalman Molnar
Keyword(s):  
Salmo Salar ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Salvelinus Fontinalis ◽  
River System ◽  
Anguilla Rostrata ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Pungitius Pungitius ◽  
Apeltes Quadracus ◽  
Catostomus Catostomus

In 224 fish of nine species from Matamek River system 38 genera of parasites were recovered (12 Protozoa, 3 Monogenea, 6 Digenea, 6 Cestoda, 6 Nematoda, 2 Acanthocephala, 3 Copepoda). Six genera of parasites were noted in Salmo salar, Salvelinus fontinalis harbored 17 genera, S. alpinus 5 genera, Osmerus mordax 4 genera, Anguilla rostrata 9 genera, Catostomus catostomus 8 genera, Apeltes quadracus 1 genus, Gasterosteus aculeatus 12 genera, and Pungitius pungitius 9 genera.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document