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Sense Of Number in Invertebrate Cognition

Objective

We are experimenting a novel cognitive revolution with the accumulation of evidence on the unexpected intelligence of key invertebrate species. Indeed, abstraction faculties, emotion-like behaviours, social imitation, or tool use, among other capacities, were long considered as the prerogative of large-brained vertebrates but now proven to be accessible to Invertebrates although to a limited extent. With this project, we wish to pursue this dynamic by offering an invertebrate perspective on the evolution of numerical cognition. In addition, our evolutionary distance with Invertebrate offers the best opportunity to compare numerical systems that evolved independently. Numerical cognition is indeed an ideal framework to explore the limit of what an invertebrate brain can perform with a comparative perspective thanks to historically well-defined and testable levels of complexity in processing quantities. Building from the established evidence of the impressive honeybees’ numerical skills and cephalopods’ general cognition, we propose to explore the limit of the cognitive levels accessible to Invertebrates by testing the possibility for bees and octopus to possess an abstract representation of numbers: are they capable of a symbolic and cross-modal representation of quantities? The proposed research program will thus offer timely decisive elements for a better understanding on the physiological and ecological constraints for numerical cognitive faculties to emerge.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITE DE CAEN NORMANDIE
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 274 974,72
Address
ESPLANADE DE LA PAIX
14032 Caen Cedex 5
France

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Region
Normandie Basse-Normandie Calvados
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

No data

Partners (1)

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