Lateralization of visuospatial processing in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

Kilian, Annette; Fersen, Lorenzo von; Güntürkün, Onur

doi:10.1016/s0166-4328(00)00273-4

Cited by 43 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Laterality in visual sensory domain has been reported in many species (fish: [1]–[7] chick: [8]–[11] dog: [12]) and, overall, results supported the general hypothesis that asymmetries in visual perception reflect the different specialization of the right (analysis of novelty/higher emotional valence stimuli) and the left (analysis of familiar stimuli) brain hemispheres. Visual analyses in bottlenose dolphins showed a general superiority of the right visual field (left hemisphere) for visual stimuli discrimination and for visual spatial tasks [13]–[16]. In accordance with these findings, Killian [17] reported a right-visual field advantage for discriminating relational dimensions between stimuli differing in numerosity in a two-choice discrimination paradigm.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Visual Lateralization in Wild Striped Dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in Response to Stimuli with Different Degrees of Familiarity

et al. 2012

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BackgroundApart from findings on both functional and motor asymmetries in captive aquatic mammals, only few studies have focused on lateralized behaviour of these species in the wild.Methodology/Principal FindingsIn this study we focused on lateralized visual behaviour by presenting wild striped dolphins with objects of different degrees of familiarity (fish, ball, toy). Surveys were conducted in the Gulf of Taranto, the northern Ionian Sea portion delimited by the Italian regions of Calabria, Basilicata and Apulia. After sighting striped dolphins from a research vessel, different stimuli were presented in a random order by a telescopic bar connected to the prow of the boat. The preferential use of the right/left monocular viewing during inspection of the stimuli was analysed.ConclusionResults clearly showed a monocular viewing preference with respect to the type of the stimulus employed. Due to the complete decussation of the optical nerves in dolphin brain our results reflected a different specialization of brain hemispheres for visual scanning processes confirming that in this species different stimuli evoked different patterns of eye use. A preferential use of the right eye (left hemisphere) during visual inspection of unfamiliar targets was observed supporting the hypothesis that, in dolphins, the organization of the functional neural structures which reflected cerebral asymmetries for visual object recognition could have been subjected to a deviation from the evolutionary line of most terrestrial vertebrates.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Visual Lateralization in Wild Striped Dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in Response to Stimuli with Different Degrees of Familiarity

et al. 2012

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“…Besides the rightward action asymmetries already described, numerous studies, mostly by Güntürkün and his colleagues, have shown a right-eye advantage in bottlenose dolphins for various vision-related tasks (Delfour & Marten, 2006;Kilian, von Fersen, & Güntürkün, 2000von Fersen, Schall, & Güntürkün, 2000;Yaman, von Fersen, Dehnhardt, & Güntürkün, 2003). As visual input in dolphins is completely crossed (Kilian et al, 2000), these right-eye advantages indicate a left-hemisphere advantage.…”

Section: A Right-eye Advantage In Bottlenose Dolphinsmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…As visual input in dolphins is completely crossed (Kilian et al, 2000), these right-eye advantages indicate a left-hemisphere advantage. Visual input was controlled in these studies by placing a rubber cup over one eye, a procedure readily tolerated by the animal.…”

Section: A Right-eye Advantage In Bottlenose Dolphinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolution of the strongest vertebrate rightward action asymmetries: Marine mammal sidedness and human handedness.

MacNeilage

2014

Psychological Bulletin

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Marine mammals and humans have the strongest manifestations of what is apparently a vertebrate-wide tendency toward a rightward action asymmetry associated with routine behavior. Marine mammal asymmetries usually involve whole-body actions associated with feeding. The human-like strength of these asymmetries may result from a problem of external aquatic support for the reactive component of the demanding lateral maneuvers of large marine mammals in daily pursuit of prey. Our asymmetrical primate heritage may also have begun with a rightward whole-body asymmetry, in prosimians, perhaps also resulting from problems of support for the reactive component of action; in this case arising from the arboreal habitat (and paradoxically including left-handedness). Monkeys and apes (simians) subsequently added right-sided adaptations for manipulation, bimanual coordination, bipedalism, throwing, and manual communication, most importantly by distal elaboration of limb function. The strength of human right-handedness may result partly from further elaboration of these simian action adaptations and partly from an evolving cognitive superstructure for tool use and language.

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“…The different involvement of the right and left sides of the brain (i.e. lateralisation) has been implicated in a variety of cognitive and affective functions in vertebrates (Bisazza et al, 1997b;Miklósi and Andrew, 1999;Kilian et al, 2000). Since presentation of the model to the fish was not followed by attacks and injuries, the fish may have categorised subsequent presentations of the stimulus as innocuous (but still to be avoided), with a shift towards control by the left-sided regions of the brain.…”

Section: Fear and Anxietymentioning

confidence: 99%

Can fish suffer?: perspectives on sentience, pain, fear and stress

Chandroo

Duncan

Moccia

2004

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

340

165

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In contrast to other major forms of livestock agriculture, there is a paucity of scientific information on the welfare of fish raised under intensive aquacultural conditions. This reflects an adherence to the belief that these animals have not evolved the salient biological characteristics that are hypothesised to permit sentience. In this review, we evaluate the scientific evidence for the existence of sentience in fish, and in particular, their ability to experience pain, fear and psychological stress. Teleost fish are considered to have marked differences in some aspects of brain structure and organization as compared to tetrapods, yet they simultaneously demonstrate functional similarities and a level of cognitive development suggestive of sentience. Anatomical, pharmacological and behavioural data suggest that affective states of pain, fear and stress are likely to be experienced by fish in similar ways as in tetrapods. This implies that fish have the capacity to suffer, and that welfare consideration for farmed fish should take these states into account. We suggest that the concept of animal welfare can be applied legitimately to fish. It is therefore appropriate to recognize and study the welfare of farmed fish.

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Lateralization of visuospatial processing in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

Cited by 43 publications

References 27 publications

Visual Lateralization in Wild Striped Dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in Response to Stimuli with Different Degrees of Familiarity

Visual Lateralization in Wild Striped Dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in Response to Stimuli with Different Degrees of Familiarity

Evolution of the strongest vertebrate rightward action asymmetries: Marine mammal sidedness and human handedness.

Can fish suffer?: perspectives on sentience, pain, fear and stress

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