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Author |
Waite, T.A. |
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Title |
Interruptions improve choice performance in gray jays: prolonged information processing versus minimization of costly errors |
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Journal Article |
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Year |
2002 |
Publication |
Animal Cognition |
Abbreviated Journal |
Anim. Cogn. |
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Volume  |
5 |
Issue |
4 |
Pages |
209-214 |
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Keywords |
Animals; *Behavior, Animal; *Choice Behavior; Female; Learning; Male; Models, Biological; Motivation; Reinforcement Schedule; Songbirds/*physiology; Time Factors |
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Abstract |
Under the assumption that selection favors minimization of costly errors, erroneous choice may be common when its fitness cost is low. According to an adaptive-choice model, this cost depends on the rate at which an animal encounters the choice: the higher this rate, the smaller the cost of choosing a less valuable option. Errors should thus be more common when interruptions to foraging are shorter. A previous experiment supported this prediction: gray jays, Perisoreus canadensis, were more error prone when subjected to shorter delays to access to food rewards. This pattern, though, is also predicted by an attentional-constraints model. Because the subjects were able to inspect the rewards during delays, their improved performance when subjected to longer delays could have been a byproduct of the experimentally prolonged opportunity for information processing. To evaluate this possibility, a follow-up experiment manipulated both delay to access and whether rewards could be inspected during delays. Depriving jays of the opportunity to inspect rewards (using opaque lids) induced only a small, nonsignificant increase in error rate. This effect was independent of length of delay and so the jays' improved performance when subjected to longer delays was not simply a byproduct of prolonged information processing. More definitively, even when the jays were prevented from inspecting rewards during delays, their performance improved when subjected to longer delays. The findings are thus consistent with the adaptive-choice model. |
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Address |
Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, Ohio State University, 1735 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1293, USA. waite.1@osu.edu |
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1435-9448 |
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Notes |
PMID:12461598 |
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no |
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Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2592 |
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Author |
Hill, S.E.; Ryan, M.J. |
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Title |
The role of model female quality in the mate choice copying behaviour of sailfin mollies |
Type |
Journal Article |
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Year |
2006 |
Publication |
Biology letters |
Abbreviated Journal |
Biol Lett |
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Volume |
2 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
203-205 |
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Keywords |
Animals; *Choice Behavior; Female; Male; *Mating Preference, Animal; Poecilia/*physiology |
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Abstract |
Female mate choice copying is a socially mediated mate choice behaviour, in which a male's attractiveness to females increases if he was previously chosen by another female as a mate. Although copying has been demonstrated in numerous species, little is known about the specific benefits it confers to copying females. Here we demonstrate that the mate choice behaviour of female sailfin mollies (Poecilia latipinna) is influenced by the phenotypic quality of model females with whom males are observed consorting. Test females choosing between two males of similar body length were found to significantly increase time spent with previously non-preferred males after having observed them with a relatively high-quality female. Conversely, females were found to significantly decrease time spent with previously preferred males after having observed them with a relatively low-quality female. Female mate choice copying might be maintained by selection based on the heuristic value it provides females choosing between males whose quality differences are not easily distinguishable. |
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Address |
University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychology, 1 University Station A8000, Austin, TX 78712, USA. sehill@mail.utexas.edu |
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English |
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1744-9561 |
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PMID:17148362 |
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Call Number |
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Serial |
1820 |
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