The Adaptive Value of Numerical Competence

Trends in Ecology & Evolution
Andreas Nieder

Abstract

Evolution selects for traits that are of adaptive value and increase the fitness of an individual or population. Numerical competence, the ability to estimate and process the number of objects and events, is a cognitive capacity that also influences an individual's survival and reproduction success. Numerical assessments are ubiquitous in a broad range of ecological contexts. Animals benefit from numerical competence during foraging, navigating, hunting, predation avoidance, social interactions, and reproductive activities. The internal number representations determine how animals perceive stimulus magnitude, which, in turn, constrains an animal's spontaneous decisions. These findings are placed in a framework to provide for a more quantitative analysis of the adaptive value and selection pressures of numerical competence.

Citations

Sep 16, 2020·ELife·Joseph A HengRafael Polania
Oct 8, 2020·Learning & Behavior·Bastien S LemaireGiorgio Vallortigara
Nov 1, 2020·Animal Cognition·Alvaro L CaicoyaFederica Amici
Mar 17, 2021·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Andreas Nieder
Dec 8, 2020·Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·Maria BortotGiorgio Vallortigara
May 1, 2021·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·Andreas Nieder
May 4, 2021·Frontiers in Psychology·Elena LorenziGiorgio Vallortigara
Jun 5, 2021·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Douglas S Glazier
Jun 9, 2021·Nature Communications·Yuxuan CaiSerge O Dumoulin
May 22, 2021·NeuroImage·Shir Hofstetter, Serge O Dumoulin
Aug 28, 2021·Brain Sciences·Weiming SunChaolin Ma
Sep 25, 2021·Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Cognitive Science·Miguel Segundo-Ortin, Paco Calvo
Dec 28, 2021·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Margaret A H BryerJennifer Vonk
Jan 11, 2022·ELife·Davide PotrichGiorgio Vallortigara

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