Understanding across the senses: cross-modal studies of cognition in cetaceans

Bruck, Jason N.; Pack, Adam A.

doi:10.1007/s10071-022-01684-8

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 105 publications

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“…This neuroanatomical review has taken on a structure according to the classical division of the known sensory systems for clarity, while it underscores the importance of adopting a holistic perspective in studying cetacean sensory systems as complementary to highly specialised investigations. Such integrative approaches can enhance our understanding of these marine mammals' sensory ecology [270,272,273], for which there remains a substantial gap in basic knowledge of how the sensory systems function. For instance, we lack insights into how these animals may sense and process electric currents, magnetic fields, and information related to hydrodynamic flow, pressure and tension in the skin, the balaenopterids' mandibular symphysis joint and throat grooves, and other morpho-functional features.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuroanatomy of the Cetacean Sensory Systems

De Vreese,

Orekhova,

Morell

et al. 2023

Animals

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Cetaceans have undergone profound sensory adaptations in response to their aquatic environment during evolution. These adaptations are characterised by anatomo-functional changes in the classically defined sensory systems, shaping their neuroanatomy accordingly. This review offers a concise and up-to-date overview of our current understanding of the neuroanatomy associated with cetacean sensory systems. It encompasses a wide spectrum, ranging from the peripheral sensory cells responsible for detecting environmental cues, to the intricate structures within the central nervous system that process and interpret sensory information. Despite considerable progress in this field, numerous knowledge gaps persist, impeding a comprehensive and integrated understanding of their sensory adaptations, and through them, of their sensory perspective. By synthesising recent advances in neuroanatomical research, this review aims to shed light on the intricate sensory alterations that differentiate cetaceans from other mammals and allow them to thrive in the marine environment. Furthermore, it highlights pertinent knowledge gaps and invites future investigations to deepen our understanding of the complex processes in cetacean sensory ecology and anatomy, physiology and pathology in the scope of conservation biology.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuroanatomy of the Cetacean Sensory Systems

De Vreese,

Orekhova,

Morell

et al. 2023

Animals

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“…This highlights that calf rearing and even just the presence of juveniles is important to the maintenance of animal welfare in cetacean groups, even in belugas [96]. We also do not know exactly how chemical communication plays a role in sex-segregated groups linked by water flow, as these animals may receive cues that affect behavior [97][98][99]. It is important to note that orcas vary in population dynamics as a function of food specialized ecotypes [100,101], with Biggs/transient orcas having a more fluid social hierarchy than resident orcas, which seems to explain increases in potential male-on-female aggression in Biggs/transient orcas, where the reestablishment of dominance occurs more frequently (along with females needing to protect their calves more from males) [102].…”

Section: Breedingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Cetacean Sanctuary: A Sea of Unknowns

Bruck

2024

Animals

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Housing cetaceans in netted sea pens is not new and is common for many accredited managed-care facilities. Hence, the distinction between sanctuary and sea pen is more about the philosophies of those who run these sanctuary facilities, the effects of these philosophies on the animals’ welfare, and how proponents of these sanctuaries fund the care of these animals. Here, I consider what plans exist for cetacean sanctuaries and discuss the caveats and challenges associated with this form of activist-managed captivity. One goal for stakeholders should be to disregard the emotional connotations of the word “sanctuary” and explore these proposals objectively with the best interest of the animals in mind. Another focus should be related to gauging the public’s understanding of proposed welfare benefits to determine if long-term supporters of donation-based sanctuary models will likely see their expectations met as NGOs and their government partners consider moving forward with cetacean sanctuary experiments.

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“…In this view, the peculiar brain of cetaceans offers a very specific evolutionary example among mammals, regarding the interaction between size, neuron quantity and overall cognitive capacities. Further characterization of these layers, potentially including glial cells such as astrocytes, will help understand thoroughly the functional circuitry of the auditory cortex in cetaceans associated with cross-modal learning from behavioral data (Bruck and Pack, 2022).…”

Section: Perspectives and Concluding Remarksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Age-related changes in the primary auditory cortex of newborn, adults and aging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are located in the upper cortical layers

Graïc,

Corain,

Finos

et al. 2024

Front. Neuroanat.

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IntroductionThe auditory system of dolphins and whales allows them to dive in dark waters, hunt for prey well below the limit of solar light absorption, and to communicate with their conspecific. These complex behaviors require specific and sufficient functional circuitry in the neocortex, and vicarious learning capacities. Dolphins are also precocious animals that can hold their breath and swim within minutes after birth. However, diving and hunting behaviors are likely not innate and need to be learned. Our hypothesis is that the organization of the auditory cortex of dolphins grows and mature not only in the early phases of life, but also in adults and aging individuals. These changes may be subtle and involve sub-populations of cells specificall linked to some circuits.MethodsIn the primary auditory cortex of 11 bottlenose dolphins belonging to three age groups (calves, adults, and old animals), neuronal cell shapes were analyzed separately and by cortical layer using custom computer vision and multivariate statistical analysis, to determine potential minute morphological differences across these age groups.ResultsThe results show definite changes in interneurons, characterized by round and ellipsoid shapes predominantly located in upper cortical layers. Notably, neonates interneurons exhibited a pattern of being closer together and smaller, developing into a more dispersed and diverse set of shapes in adulthood.DiscussionThis trend persisted in older animals, suggesting a continuous development of connections throughout the life of these marine animals. Our findings further support the proposition that thalamic input reach upper layers in cetaceans, at least within a cortical area critical for their survival. Moreover, our results indicate the likelihood of changes in cell populations occurring in adult animals, prompting the need for characterization.

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Understanding across the senses: cross-modal studies of cognition in cetaceans

Cited by 9 publications

References 105 publications

Neuroanatomy of the Cetacean Sensory Systems

Neuroanatomy of the Cetacean Sensory Systems

The Cetacean Sanctuary: A Sea of Unknowns

Age-related changes in the primary auditory cortex of newborn, adults and aging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are located in the upper cortical layers

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