'Machiavellian' behaviour leads to calls for a reassessment of fish intelligence
Fish exhibit levels of social intelligence that belie their reputation as dim witted, instinct driven animals, and in some cognitive domains they compare favourably to non-human primates, according to three leading experts from the UK. The scientists from the universities of Edinburgh and St Andrews in Scotland and Leeds in England highlighted the changes in our understanding of the mental capacities of fish that have occurred over the last few years. Calum Brown, Kevin Laland and Jens Krause, writing in the scientific journal Fish and Fisheries, said: 'Gone (or at least obsolete) is the image of fish as drudging and dim witted pea-brains, driven largely by 'instinct', with what little behavioural flexibility they posses being severely hampered by an infamous 'three second memory'. 'Now, fish are regarded as steeped in social intelligence, pursuing Machiavellian strategies of manipulation, punishment and reconciliation, exhibiting stable cultural traditions, and cooperating to inspect predators and catch food.' The scientists pointed to observations of fish recognising individual fish from the same shoal, tracking relationships, using tools, building nests and displaying long term memories. They believe that as the oldest group of major vertebrates, fish have had ample time to develop complex and adaptable behavioural patterns which rival those of other vertebrates. 'These developments warrant a reappraisal of the behavioural flexibility of fishes, and highlight the need for a deeper understanding of the learning processes that underpin [their] newly recognised behavioural and social sophistication,' concluded the scientists.
Countries
United Kingdom