Fish
are socially intelligent creatures who do not deserve their reputation
as the dim-wits of the animal kingdom, according to a group of
leading scientists.
Rather than simply being instinct-driven, the group says fish
are cunning, manipulative and even cultured.
The three experts from the universities of Edinburgh, St Andrews
and Leeds said there had been huge changes in science's understanding
of the psychological and mental abilities of fish in the last
few years.
Writing in the journal Fish and Fisheries, biologists Calum Brown,
Keven Laland and Jens Krause said fish were now seen as highly
intelligent creatures.
They said: "Gone (or at least obsolete) is the image of
fish as drudging and dim-witted pea-brains, driven largely by
'instinct',' with what little behavioural flexibility they possess
being severely hampered by an infamous 'three-second memory'.
"Now, fish are regarded as steeped in social intelligence,
pursuing Machiavellian strategies of manipulation, punishment
and reconciliation, exhibiting stable cultural traditions, and
co-operating to inspect predators and catch food."
Recent research had shown that fish recognised individual "shoal
mates", social prestige and even tracked relationships.
Scientists had also observed them using tools, building complex
nests and exhibiting long-term memories.
The scientists added: "Although it may seem extraordinary
to those comfortably used to pre-judging animal intelligence on
the basis of brain volume, in some cognitive domains, fishes can
even be favourably compared to non-human primates."
They said fish were the most ancient of the major vertebrate
groups, giving them "ample time" to evolve complex,
adaptable and diverse behaviour patterns that rivalled those of
other vertebrates.
"These developments warrant a re-appraisal of the behavioural
flexibility of fishes, and highlight the need for a deeper understanding
of the learning processes that underpin the newly recognised behavioural
and social sophistication of this taxon," said the scientists.
(Agencies)
Updated: 2003-09-05 01:00