Fish can infer social rank by observation alone

Logan Grosenick (), Tricia S. Clement and Russell D. Fernald
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Logan Grosenick: Stanford University
Tricia S. Clement: Stanford University
Russell D. Fernald: Stanford University

Nature, 2007, vol. 445, issue 7126, 429-432

Abstract: Steering clear of trouble Fish are not famous for being smart, yet they can be added to the list of animals that show the rudiments of logical thinking. Transitive inference, the ability to deduce unknown relationships from knowledge of known relationships, is essential to logical reasoning. This ability is seen as an important step in a child's development, and similar capabilities are found in nonhuman primates, rats and birds. Astatotilapia burtoni, a territorial fish in which reproductive success of males depends on their status in 'fish society', can learn an implied hierarchy among other unfamiliar fish by watching fights between them. Remarkably, fish do this indirectly, as 'bystanders', with no direct reinforcement. This behaviour calls into question previous models of transitive inference and suggests that these fish have evolved distinct mechanisms for making inferences in situations specific to their survival and reproduction. The cover image shows an A. burtoni male.

Date: 2007
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DOI: 10.1038/nature05511

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