Problem-solving in a cooperative task in peach-fronted conures (Eupsittula aurea)

Evidence that bottlenose dolphins can communicate with vocal signals to solve a cooperative task

“…In previous studies, great apes have been shown to communicate with gestures to facilitate cooperative task success [33,34], and peach-fronted conures increased their vocalizations during trials where they could not see their partner, although it remains to be determined exactly how the vocalizations were being used [27]. Here, we provide clear evidence that the timing of vocal signals is important for the successful execution of coordinated actions by these two bottlenose dolphin dyads.…”

“…Extrapolating across studies, it appears that a species' socio-ecology may influence whether they are capable of understanding the need for a partner in a cooperative task [24,27,50]. Bottlenose dolphins cooperate extensively in the wild in the formation of alliances, where males work together to herd single oestrous females and defend them from rival alliances [5,51].…”

“…An important component of all these experiments is testing whether individuals will wait for their partner before manipulating the device, demonstrating that they understand the cooperative nature of the task. Experiments such as these have been used to show that some species, including chimpanzees [16][17][18][19][20], orangutans [21], capuchins [15,22], elephants [23], wolves [24], hyaenas [25], keas [26], bottlenose dolphins [14] and peach-front conures [27] understand the need for a partner, whereas other species, including otters [28], rooks [29], ravens [30] and African grey parrots [31] do not. Yet there has been less focus on cooperation experiments that address the role of communication [10].…”

Exploring the Cognitive Capacities of Japanese Macaques in a Cooperation Game

“…If they mistime their attempt or make an attempt in the absence of a partner, the string comes loose and precludes further attempts. The paradigm has proved effective for testing a range of species such as chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ) [ 12 ], macaques ( Macaca sylvanus ; Macaca fuscata ; Macaca fascicularis ) [ 13 , 14 , 15 ], marmosets ( Callithrix jacchus ) [ 16 ], corvids ( Corvus frugilegus ; Corvus corax ) [ 17 , 18 ], elephants ( Elephas maximus ) [ 19 ], wolves ( Canis lupus ) [ 20 ], hyenas ( Crocuta crocuta ) [ 21 ], otters ( Pteronura brasiliensis ; Aonyx cinerea ) [ 22 ], parrots ( Nestor notabilis ; Ara glaucogularis ; Psittacus erithacus ; Eupsittula aurea ) [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ] and dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus ) [ 28 ], to name but a few.…”

“…Even though the design of the loose-string paradigm makes uncoordinated attempts conspicuous, it is still possible for animals to succeed at the task by virtue of arriving to it simultaneously. To counter this, some studies have taken the design a step further and introduced a delay before releasing a prospective cooperative partner to ensure that active coordination is necessary to complete the task [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Success then necessitates waiting behavior on the part of the initially arriving animal, which at minimum indicates understanding that a partner is required to complete the task.…”