Cephalopod intelligence
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The intelligence of cephalopods ( cephalopods ) is a major theme in comparative neurobiology , ethology and the evolutionary biology because despite completely different physical structures similar intelligence services as vertebrates have evolved. Cephalopods , particularly the subclass of Coleoidea ( cuttlefish , squid and octopus ) are considered the most intelligent of the invertebrates .
Defining the intelligence of cephalopods is a controversial endeavor made difficult by the fact that cephalopods are difficult to observe in nature and that their common ancestor and mammals lived over half a billion years ago.
However, cases have been reported in which cephalopods have been trained in reflexes (so-called classical conditioning ), and one study (Fiorito & Scotto, 1992) has shown that cephalopods can learn by observation. However, some of these results are controversial. Cephalopods have a considerable spatial memory, orientation skills and excellent prey capture techniques. They fail the mirror test .
Examples of cephalopod intelligence
Catching prey
Unlike most other molluscs , cephalopods are active hunters (with the possible exception of Magnapinnidae squids, which appear to have a lifestyle similar to that of jellyfish). Cephalopods do not have a protective shell, unlike the crustaceans they prey - so they run the risk of being injured if they behave inappropriately. Just like all other predators , cephalopods must be able to track down prey and chase after it. All of this favors an evolution of intelligent life forms.
Humboldt squids ( Dosidicus gigas ) follow schools of fish together and show both cooperation and communication.
Crabs , the staple diet of many octopuses, are a challenge for cephalopods and their soft parts. Cephalopods also have less efficient breathing, so that they run the risk of exhaustion while hunting - and then fall prey to the crabs themselves. Squids have therefore learned to look for lobster traps and to help themselves there. Octopuses are also known to climb aboard fishing boats and hide in bins that hold dead or dying crabs.
skill
The special thing about cephalopods is that their motor skills are not linked to specific areas of the brain. In humans, for example, the zones of the sensory and motor cortex of the cerebral cortex are each assigned to certain body regions. The sense of touch of the hand - as well as the commands to the hand muscles - are processed in the same brain regions. In cephalopods, however, the same area of the brain can be responsible for one or the other arm - or control several at the same time.
An octopus named Otto at the Sea Star Aquarium in Coburg was known to rearrange its aquarium equipment. He also threw stones and damaged the aquarium glass. More than once he climbed out of the water and shot a jet of water at a lamp, each time causing short circuits.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Yuzuru Ikeda: A perspective on the study of cognition and sociality of cephalopod mollusks, a group of intelligent marine invertebrates1. In: Japanese Psychological Research 51, No. 3, 2009, pp. 146-153, doi: 10.1111 / j.1468-5884.2009.00401.x .
- ↑ Lauren Shorser: Alien Minds: Evidence of intelligence in coleoid cephalopods. Diss. University of Otago, 2011.
- ↑ Marta Borgi, Augusto Vitale, Enrico Alleva: Octopus: the ocean's intelligent invertebrate. In: Annali dell'Istituto Superiore di Sanità 47, No. 4, 2011, pp. 477-478, doi: 10.1590 / S0021-25712011000400022 .
- ↑ Peter Godfrey-Smith: Cephalopods and the evolution of the mind. In: Pacific Conservation Biology 19, No. 1, 2013, p. 4.
- ↑ Richard Dawkins : Stories from the Origin of Life: A Time Travel in Darwin's Footsteps . Encounter 26 about 590 million years ago.
- ^ Tim Zimmermann: Behold the Humboldt Squid . In: Outside Magazine , June 2006.
- ^ Jacques-Yves Cousteau: Octopus and Squid: The Soft Intelligence . 1978.
- ↑ Zullo et al .: Nonsomatotopic organization of the higher motor centers in octopus . In: Current Biology 19, 2009, pp. 1632-1636.
- ↑ "Otto the Octopus wreaks havoc". [1]