The podcast explores animal decision-making, discussing how animals perceive information and use it for learning. Topics include costs of learning in animals, experimental evolution using fruit flies, animal intelligence in species like dolphins and bees, and evolution of preferences in flies.
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Quick takeaways
Animals develop biases towards stimuli for decision-making efficiency.
Fruit flies are valuable for studying evolution due to genetic data availability.
Prepared learning influences behavior and cognitive evolution in animals.
Deep dives
Research and Teaching Role at University of Missouri
The guest, Dr. Amy Dunlap, an associate professor at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, discusses her role in research, teaching courses in animal behavior, behavioral ecology, and the evolution of cognition. She supervises a diverse team of grad students and undergrads working on cognitive questions, bridging lab-based cognition with field ecology studies.
Fruit Flies as Model Organisms
Fruit flies are highlighted as essential model organisms due to their extensive research history in physiology, behavior, cognition, and evolution. Their fast generation turnover allows for observing evolution in a lab setting. The genetic and nervous system data available for fruit flies make them valuable for studying evolution.
Evolutionary Preparedness in Learning
Dr. Dunlap delves into evolutionary preparedness in learning, explaining how animals develop biases towards certain stimuli based on evolutionary advantages. She relates this to human phobias and animal foraging instincts, showcasing how innate biases enhance decision-making efficiency. The concept of prepared learning influences behavior and cognitive evolution across species.
Experimental Evolution and Gene Expression Studies
In experimental evolution studies, organisms are evolved in the lab environment, leading to changes in preferences influenced by gene expression. Experiments on fruit flies evolving preferences reveal alterations in gene expression related to neural processing and survival instincts. Gene expression studies provide insights into the genetic basis of behavioral adaptations.
Dr. Dunlap's Advice for Aspiring Scientists
Dr. Dunlap advises aspiring scientists to read literature, identify intriguing research questions, and reach out to experts in the field. She encourages students to explore the growing field of cognitive ecology, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and communication to advance research in animal behavior, cognition, and evolution.
On today’s episode, we are joined by Aimee Dunlap. Aimee is an assistant professor at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and the interim director at the Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center.
Aimee discussed how animals perceive information and what they use it for. She discussed the connection between their environment and learning for decision-making. She also discussed the costs required for learning and factors that affect animal learning.
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