It is, however, worth mentioning that for some species of fish responses to olfactory cues may be a more appropriate test of self-recognition as opposed to the visually-biased MSR. Whilst no fish species has so far passed this type of test, studies have shown fish respond to their mirror images differently than they do to members of the same species (Desjardins and Fenald 2010 and Balzarini et al 2014). Typically, they pay much more attention to the part of their body that bears a new marking. They then observe what happens when the marked animal is placed in front of a mirror.Īnimals that pass the test will typically adjust their positions so that they can get a better look at the new mark on their body, and may even touch or try to move it. In the next phase researchers usually place a mark on the animal’s body (eg paint). If they show repetitive and unusual movements they are considered potentially capable of passing the test. If they show social responses they likely perceived their mirror image as another individual and did not recognise themselves in the mirror. In order to ascertain whether an animal can pass this test, researchers first expose the animals to a mirror. The MSR is considered a reliable behavioural index and has been used to prove self-awareness in the great apes (bonobos, chimpanzees, orangutans and gorillas), bottlenose dolphins, Eurasian magpies and Asian elephants. They were therefore seen as ideal candidates for investigating self-awareness.įor the study Ari and D’Agostino used the mirror self-recognition test (MSR), a method originally developed by psychologist Gordon Gallup in 1970 as a way to determine whether a non-human animal has the ability to recognise itself. Giant mantas have the largest brain of all fish species, as described by Ari in 2011 they often form large feeding aggregations, suggesting complex social interactions and are often referred to as intelligent. In 2016 a study was published by Dr Csilla Ari and Dr Dominic D’Agostino on giant manta rays ( Manta birostris), which explored the notion of whether these elasmobranchs could be classed as self-aware. In other words do fish have an awareness of internal and external stimuli and do they possess the ability for self-recognition/awareness? There has been a debate about fish welfare for decades which centres on the question of whether they are sentient or conscious. From a welfare perspective, most researchers would suggest that if an animal is sentient, then it can most likely suffer and should therefore be offered some form of formal protection. The perception of an animal’s intelligence often drives our decision on whether or not to include them in our moral circle. This is an important issue because public perception guides government policy. As Brown highlights in his review, part of the problem is the large gap between people’s perception of fish intelligence and the scientific reality.
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