Similar stimulus features control visual classification in orangutans and rhesus monkeys

Diamond, Rachel F. L.; Stoinski, Tara S.; Mickelberg, Jennifer; Basile, Benjamin M.; Gazes, Regina Paxton; Templer, Victoria L.; Hampton, Robert R.

doi:10.1002/jeab.176

Cited by 18 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…One such approach involves the use of computers. Computerized testing has a long history in laboratory settings, and recent work has begun to expand this to a zoo setting and allow for direct comparisons to laboratory findings [19]. Vonk and colleagues have greatly expanded the use of computerized testing with bears [7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Computerized Testing on Sun Bear Behavior and Enrichment Preferences

Perdue

2016

Behavioral Sciences

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The field of comparative cognition investigates species’ differences and similarities in cognitive abilities, and sheds light on the evolutionary origins of such capacities. Cognitive testing has been carried out in a variety of species; however, there are some taxa that are underrepresented in this field. The current work follows on a recent increase in cognitive research in the order Carnivora with a specific focus on sun bears. Sun bears are the smallest existing bear species and live in tropical regions of Southeast Asia. They have an omnivorous diet and use their tongues to forage for insects and sap. Little is known about sun bear cognition, although much like other bear species, anecdotes suggest a high level of intelligence. The current work explored training sun bears to use a touchscreen computer. This effort allows for insight into cognitive abilities as well as providing a complex source of enrichment for the bears. The bears use their tongues to respond to a touchscreen computer, and the effects on stereotypic behaviors on exhibit and preference for this over other forms of enrichment were examined. Overall, bears performed well on the task and showed a preference for the computer.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Computerized Testing on Sun Bear Behavior and Enrichment Preferences

Perdue

2016

Behavioral Sciences

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“…Placing the touchscreen on the outside of the mesh is also done at e.g. Zoo Atlanta or Marwell Zoo (Diamond et al 2016;Perdue 2016;Micheletta et al 2015), demonstrating a satisfactory touchscreen usability. Furthermore, even after several months of testing the apes were not able to dismantle or destroy any of the setups.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sonnweber et al 2015;Altschul et al 2017); procedures which some zoos do not approve. Therefore, at Zoo Atlanta, USA, researchers use stand-alone, portable touchscreen-setups that can be attached to the mesh of the animals' enclosures and are equipped with food dispensers (Diamond et al 2016;Perdue 2016). At Indianapolis Zoo, USA, C.F.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementing new portable touchscreen-setups to enhance cognitive research and enrich zoo-housed animals

Schmitt

2018

Preprint

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To understand the evolutionary development of cognition, comparing the cognitive capacities of different animal species is essential. However, getting access to various species with sufficient sample sizes can be very challenging. Zoos, housing large ranges of animal taxa, would offer ideal research environments, but zoo-based studies on cognition are still rare. The use of touchscreen-computers to explore the cognitive abilities of nonhuman animals has shown to be highly applicable, and simultaneously offers new enrichment possibilities for captive animals. To facilitate zoo-based research, I here illustrate the assembly and usage of newly developed touchscreen-computer-systems (Zoo-based Animal-Computer-Interaction System, ZACI), which can be used in various zoo environments and, importantly, with different taxa (e.g.primates, birds). The developed setups are portable, can be attached to various mesh sizes, and do not need any external power supply while being used. To evaluate the usability of the ZACI, they have been tested with experimentally naïve subjects of three great ape species (orang-utans, chimpanzees, gorillas) housed at Zoo Heidelberg, Germany, demonstrating to be easy to handle, animal-proof, and of great interest to the animals. Animals could be tested within their social group, as each subject had access to its own device during testing. To support the implementation of touchscreen-setups at other facilities, I also illustrate the training procedure and present first data on the apes' performance in a simple object discrimination task. Portable touchscreen-setups offer the great possibility to enhance collaboration between zoos and researchers, allow a standardisation of methods, and improve data collection.

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“…All monkeys used in Experiment 3 had previous experience with classifying images as containing birds, fish, flowers, or people (Basile and Hampton 2013a; Basile and Hampton 2013b; Diamond et al 2016). Monkeys were retrained on the classification task before classification and reversal tasks were combined.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Change in the relative contributions of habit and working memory facilitates serial reversal learning expertise in rhesus monkeys

Hassett

Hampton

2017

Anim Cogn

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Functionally distinct memory systems likely evolved in response to incompatible demands placed on learning by distinct environmental conditions. Working memory appears adapted, in part, for conditions that change frequently, making rapid acquisition and brief retention of information appropriate. In contrast, habits form gradually over many experiences, adapting organisms to contingencies of reinforcement that are stable over relatively long intervals. Serial reversal learning provides an opportunity to simultaneously examine the processes involved in adapting to rapidly changing and relatively stable contingencies. In serial reversal learning, selecting one of the two simultaneously presented stimuli is positively reinforced, while selection of the other is not. After a preference for the positive stimulus develops, the contingencies of reinforcement reverse. Naïve subjects adapt to such reversals gradually, perseverating in selection of the previously rewarded stimulus. Experts reverse rapidly according to a win-stay, lose-shift response pattern. We assessed whether a change in the relative control of choice by habit and working memory accounts for the development of serial reversal learning expertise. Across three experiments, we applied manipulations intended to attenuate the contribution of working memory but leave the contribution of habit intact. We contrasted performance following long and short intervals in Experiments 1 and 2, and we interposed a competing cognitive load between trials in Experiment 3. These manipulations slowed the acquisition of reversals in expert subjects, but not naïve subjects, indicating that serial reversal learning expertise is facilitated by a shift in the control of choice from passively acquired habit to actively maintained working memory.

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Similar stimulus features control visual classification in orangutans and rhesus monkeys

Cited by 18 publications

References 45 publications

The Effect of Computerized Testing on Sun Bear Behavior and Enrichment Preferences

The Effect of Computerized Testing on Sun Bear Behavior and Enrichment Preferences

Implementing new portable touchscreen-setups to enhance cognitive research and enrich zoo-housed animals

Change in the relative contributions of habit and working memory facilitates serial reversal learning expertise in rhesus monkeys

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