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Author (up) Reddon, A.R.; Hurd, P.L.
Title Individual differences in cerebral lateralization are associated with shy-bold variation in the convict cichlid Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication Animal Behaviour. Abbreviated Journal Anim. Behav.
Volume 77 Issue 1 Pages 189-193
Keywords animal personality; Archocentrus nigrofasciatus; cerebral lateralization; convict cichlid; life history strategy; shy-bold continuum
Abstract Cerebral lateralization, the preferential use of one hemisphere of the brain to perform certain cognitive functions, is a widespread and evolutionarily ancient adaptation. Lateralization appears to enhance cognitive capacity, yet substantial individual variation in the strength cerebral lateralization is apparent in all species studied so far. It is puzzling that cerebral lateralization, a seemingly advantageous trait, has not been driven to fixation. It has been suggested that variation in lateralization may be linked to individual variation in behaviour, which itself may be subject to disruptive selection. We examined the relation between cerebral lateralization and individual variation in boldness in the convict cichlid, Archocentrus nigrofasciatus. We show that convict cichlids that are more strongly lateralized when exploring a familiar environment, but not a novel one, are quicker to emerge from a shelter in a test for boldness. The possibility that cerebral lateralization is linked to life history strategy is discussed.
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Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0003-3472 ISBN Medium
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Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5373
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Author (up) Reddon, A.R.; Hurd, P.L.
Title Acting unilaterally: Why do animals with strongly lateralized brains behave differently than those with weakly lateralized brains? Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication Bioscience Hypotheses Abbreviated Journal
Volume 2 Issue 6 Pages 383-387
Keywords Cerebral lateralization; Individual variation; Personality; Habenula; Dorsal-diencephalic conduction system
Abstract Cerebral lateralization was once thought to be unique to humans, but is now known to be widespread among the vertebrates. Lateralization appears to confer cognitive advantages upon those that possess it. Despite the taxonomic ubiquity and described advantages of lateralization, substantial individual variation exists in all species. Individual variation in cerebral lateralization may be tied to individual variation in behaviour and the selective forces that act to maintain variation in behaviour may also act to maintain variation in lateralization. The mechanisms linking individual variation in the strength of cerebral lateralization to individual variation in behaviour remain obscure. We propose here a general hypothesis which may help to explain this link. We suggest that individuals with strong and weak lateralizations behave differently because of differences in the ability of one hemisphere to inhibit the functions of the other in each type of brain organization. We also suggest a specific mechanism involving the asymmetric epithalamic nucleus, the habenula. We conclude by discussing some predictions and potential tests of our hypothesis.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1756-2392 ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5417
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