Behavioral and Evolutionary Perspectives on Visual Lateralization in Mating Birds: A Short Systematic Review

Abstract

The division of cognitive processing between the two hemispheres of the brain causes lateralized eye use in various behavioral contexts. Generally, visual lateralization is shared among vertebrates to a greater extent, with little interspecific variation. However, previous studies on the visual lateralization in mating birds have shown surprising heterogeneity. Therefore, this systematic review paper summarized and analyzed them using phylogenetic comparative methods. The review aimed to elucidate why some species used their left eye and others their right to fixate on individuals of the opposite sex, such as mating partners or prospective mates. It was found that passerine and non-passerine species showed opposite eye use for mating, which could have stemmed from the difference in altricial vs. precocial development. However, due to the limited availability of species data, it was impossible to determine whether the passerine group or altricial development was the primary factor. Additionally, unclear visual lateralization was found when studies looked at lek mating species and males who performed courtship. These findings are discussed from both evolutionary and behavioral perspectives. Possible directions for future research have been suggested.

Sunlight and time of the day affect visual lateralisation in Greater White-fronted Geese

“…Much attention was paid to studies on lateralised mating behaviour in birds of both polygamous (Rogers et al 1985, Gülbetekin et al 2007, Vernier 2016) and monogamous species (Ventolini et al 2005). However, interactions between males and females outside the breeding period are poorly studied (Soma 2022).…”

Lateralized Movements during the Mating Behavior, Which Are Associated with Sex and Sexual Experience, Increase the Mating Success in Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

“…These differences in directionality can affect mating success and therefore have significant functional advantages that contribute to biological fitness [1]. Even though diverse insects have shown preferences for one side of the mate's body or a tendency to turn in a particular direction during mating (i.e., mating behavioral asymmetries; [2][3][4][5]), particular attention has been focused on beetle pests [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] since it may help to understand their success and explosive reproduction.…”