The evolution of cognition in natural populations

Julie Morand-Ferron; John L Quinn

doi:10.1016/j.tics.2015.03.005

The evolution of cognition in natural populations

Trends Cogn Sci. 2015 May;19(5):235-7. doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2015.03.005. Epub 2015 Mar 31.

Authors

Julie Morand-Ferron¹, John L Quinn²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Gendron Hall, Room 160, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada. Electronic address: jmf@uottawa.ca.
² School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Distillery Fields, North Mall, Cork, Ireland.

PMID: 25840652
DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2015.03.005

Abstract

Individual differences in cognitive abilities have been described in a range of species, but do they impact survival or reproduction? Several recent studies report links between putative cognitive and reproductive traits in avian systems. Whether or when selection should occur in the wild is becoming an exciting avenue of research.

Keywords: evolutionary ecology; individual variation; innovative problem-solving; learning; life history; reproductive success.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Biological Evolution*
Cognition / physiology*
Ecology
Humans
Individuality