Sex differences in spatial cognition in an invertebrate: the cuttlefish

Jozet‐Alves, Christelle; Moderan, Julien; Dickel, Ludovic

doi:10.1098/rspb.2008.0501

Cited by 39 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Sex differences in cognitive ability in mammals and other taxa are most commonly documented for spatial cognition, where males typically perform better than females [1,[52][53][54]. Sex differences in spatial cognition have been hypothesized to arise from differential selective pressures in relation to sexspecific dispersal, mobility during reproduction, intrasexual competition, female choice and differences in home range size (i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex and boldness explain individual differences in spatial learning in a lizard

et al. 2014

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Understanding individual differences in cognitive performance is a major challenge to animal behaviour and cognition studies. We used the Eastern water skink (Eulamprus quoyii) to examine associations between exploration, boldness and individual variability in spatial learning, a dimension of lizard cognition with important bearing on fitness. We show that males perform better than females in a biologically relevant spatial learning task. This is the first evidence for sex differences in learning in a reptile, and we argue that it is probably owing to sex-specific selective pressures that may be widespread in lizards. Across the sexes, we found a clear association between boldness after a simulated predatory attack and the probability of learning the spatial task. In contrast to previous studies, we found a nonlinear association between boldness and learning: both 'bold' and 'shy' behavioural types were more successful learners than intermediate males. Our results do not fit with recent predictions suggesting that individual differences in learning may be linked with behavioural types via high -low-risk/reward trade-offs. We suggest the possibility that differences in spatial cognitive performance may arise in lizards as a consequence of the distinct environmental variability and complexity experienced by individuals as a result of their sex and social tactics.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex and boldness explain individual differences in spatial learning in a lizard

et al. 2014

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“…However, male biased dispersal has been reported in the Damaraland mole-rat, Fukomys damarensis (Hazell et al 2000). Natal mole-rats can now be added to the growing list of species (see Jones et al 2003, Jozet-Alves et al 2008 for partial reviews) that show sex differences in cognitive spatial ability including, for example, humans In female field mole-rats and male lab mole-rats, the rate of completion decreased with increasing body mass. However, in male field and female lab mole-rats, the converse was true.…”

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confidence: 99%

Influence of spatial environment on maze learning in an African mole-rat

et al. 2012

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In subterranean species where excavation is energetically expensive, efficient spatial navigation is vital to reducing the costs of locating important resources such as food and mates. While spatial navigational ability is positively correlated with sociality in subterranean mammals, we have a less clear understanding of the role of habitat complexity on navigational ability. We tested spatial navigational ability and memory in 12-18 month captive Natal mole-rats (Cryptomys hottentotus natalensis) maintained in a simple environment with no environmental enrichment and newly captured wild individuals from natural, complex burrow systems. In maze trials, mole-rats captured freshly from the wild 2 made significantly fewer navigational errors, were more likely to successfully navigate the maze, travelled shorter distances and as a consequence, completed the maze in less time.Male mole-rats from both experimental treatments were more likely to complete the maze than females. Memory retention of the maze was tested on day two, seven, 30 and 60 respectively. The results were variable, although both groups showed a significant memory retention 60 days after testing. Our results highlight the potential importance of the environment (microhabitat complexity) on spatial cognitive performance in mole-rats.

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“…The inferior occipital gyrus plays an important role in visuospatial processing [31], skills that demonstrate robust sex differences [32]–[34]. Men tend to score higher than women on tests of mental rotation, spatial perception, and orientation [35]–[37], whereas women tend to score higher on tests of memory for object locations in spatial arrays [38].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of Cerebral Networks in Resting State with Sexual Preference of Homosexual Men: A Study of Regional Homogeneity and Functional Connectivity

Peterson

et al. 2013

PLoS ONE

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Recent imaging studies have shown that brain morphology and neural activity during sexual arousal differ between homosexual and heterosexual men. However, functional differences in neural networks at the resting state is unknown. The study is to characterize the association of homosexual preference with measures of regional homogeneity and functional connectivity in the resting state. Participants were 26 healthy homosexual men and 26 age-matched healthy heterosexual men in whom we collected echo planar magnetic resonance imaging data in the resting state. The sexual orientation was evaluated using the Kinsey Scale. We first assessed group differences in regional homogeneity and then, taking the identified differences as seed regions, we compared groups in measures of functional connectivity from those seeds. The behavioral significances of the differences in regional homogeneity and functional connectivity were assessed by examining their associations with Kinsey Scores. Homosexual participants showed significantly reduced regional homogeneity in the left inferior occipital gyrus, right middle occipital gyrus, right superior occipital gyrus, left cuneus, right precuneus, and increased regional homogeneity in rectal gyrus, bilateral midbrain, and left temporal lobe. Regional homogeneity correlated positively with Kinsey scores in the left inferior occipital gyrus. The homosexual group also showed reduced functional connectivity between left middle temporal gyrus, left supra-marginal gyrus, right cuneus and the seed region, i.e. left inferior occipital gyrus. Additionly, the connection between the left inferior occipital gyrus and right thalamus correlated positively with Kinsey scores. These differences in regional homogeneity and functional connectivity may contribute to a better understanding of the neural basis of male sexual orientation.

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Sex differences in spatial cognition in an invertebrate: the cuttlefish

Cited by 39 publications

References 43 publications

Sex and boldness explain individual differences in spatial learning in a lizard

Sex and boldness explain individual differences in spatial learning in a lizard

Influence of spatial environment on maze learning in an African mole-rat

Association of Cerebral Networks in Resting State with Sexual Preference of Homosexual Men: A Study of Regional Homogeneity and Functional Connectivity

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