The degree of altriciality and performance in a cognitive task show correlated evolution

Abstract

Previous comparative research on the evolution of cognition has tested what we call the “altricial intelligence hypothesis”. This posits that a relationship between evolutionary changes in the altricial period length and cognition exists across animal species. However, the evidence available thus far either comes from indirect measurements of cognition or has not been conclusive. We performed a phylogenetic analysis of published data from various sources on 31 homeothermic species to test for an evolutionary association between the degree of altriciality and a direct measure of self-control. For each species, the degree of altriciality was determined based on the residual altricial period (i.e., the time from birth to fledging in birds and to weaning in mammals) on lifespan. The percentage of success in the cylinder task was the measure of self-control. Our results showed that the degree of altriciality covaried positively with the measure of self-control. Based on the results of this study, we sustain that evolutionary changes in the length of the altricial period are associated with evolutionary changes in the cognitive system used by homeotherms to perform the cylinder task.

Interspecific differences in developmental mode determine early cognitive abilities in teleost fish

“…Moreover, among primates, humans display a level of altriciality that is considered exceptional: human neonates are totally helpless, and their brain is only 30% of the mass of an adult brain (DeSilva and Lesnik 2006 ; Rosenberg 2021 ). While this developmental mode is thought to be an adaptation for growing larger brains later in life, it may hamper brain computational potential during early life (e.g., Chiappa et al 2018 ). Similarly, dogs and corvids display a certain degree of altriciality (Lezama-García et al 2019 ; Magrath 1990 ).…”