May
2007
Animal intelligence0
30-May-2007 Spiders, mice and squids have different personalities just as humans do. Personality differences have been seen in more than 60 species, including primates, rodents, birds, fish, insects and molluscs,
But the evolutionary origins of animal personality – consistent behavior over time and in different situations – is a mystery. Why do different personalities exist in a single population? Shouldn’t one type be more successful than any other?
In a simple, static world maybe. But not in the complex, constantly changing environment of the real world. New research from the Santa Fe Institute is beginning to offer an explanation for the evolution of animal personalities.
These are often shaped by a simple underlying principle, the researchers note: The more an individual stands to lose in terms of future reproduction, the more cautiously it behaves.
Personality differences are often about willingness to take risks, they point out. And individuals often have to make trade-offs between current and future reproduction. The more they invest in reproduction now, the less resources are left for future opportunities, and vice versa.
Using a mathematical model the authors demonstrate that this trade-off can create a variety of personalities in a population. Individuals who invest more in future reproductive success evolve to avoid taking chances. Those that emphasise current reproductive success evolve risk-taking personalities.
So now you know what the scary-looking spider that scurries away as soon as it sees you has on its little arachnid mind.
1-March-2007 South Africa’s environment minister has offered a new plan to control the nation’s booming elephant population by mass killing.
30-Oct-2006 Elephant consciousness story and science teaching resources (US or UK English) posted at www.realscience.org.uk
