ArticleAnimal cognition2021
Do alternative reproductive tactics predict problem-solving performance in African striped mice?
Article in Animal cognition, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed.
- Effects of sibling competition and physiological and behavioural differences on problem-solving of wild cavies (Cavia aperea).Animal cognition · 2026Article
- How to solve novel problems: the role of associative learning in problem-solving performance in wild great tits Parus major.Animal cognition · 2024Article
- Cognitive performance is linked to survival in free-living African striped mice.Proceedings. Biological sciences · 2023Article
- Wild cognition - linking form and function of cognitive abilities within a natural context.Current opinion in behavioral sciences · 2022Article
- Personality traits affect learning performance in dwarf goats (Frontiers in veterinary science · 2022Article
- Seasonal variation in reversal learning reveals greater female cognitive flexibility in African striped mice.Scientific reports · 2021Article
- Grow up, be persistent, and stay focused: keys for solving foraging problems by free-ranging possums.Behavioral ecology : official journal of the International Society for Behavioral EcologyArticle
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
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Abstract
In changing environments, animals face unexpected problems to solve. Not all individuals in a population are equally able to solve new problems. It still remains unclear what factors (e.g. age and body condition) influence the propensity of problem solving. We investigated variation in problem-solving performance among males following alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs). We studied a free-ranging population of the African striped mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio). Adult male striped mice can employ 3 ARTs: (1) dominant group-living breeders, (2) philopatric living in their natal group, and (3) solitary-living roamers. ARTs in male striped mice reflect differences in competitiveness, sociality and physiology which could influence their problem-solving performance. We tested a total of 48 males in 2 years with two tasks: a string-pulling task to reach food and a door-opening task to reach the nest. Since male striped mice differ in personality traits independent of ARTs, we also measured activity, boldness and exploration. In addition, we assessed the association of body condition and age with problem solving. Problem solving was related the interaction of age and ARTs. The younger philopatrics had better performance in a food-extraction task whereas the older breeders were faster at solving the door-opening task. Individual differences in traits related to personality were significant correlates of problem-solving performance: pro-active mice (i.e. more active and explorative and bolder) performed better in both tasks. Finally, problem-solving performance was not consistent between the two tasks. Our study provides evidence of correlates of ARTs, age and personality on problem-solving abilities.
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