Biology

Dr. Soumya Iyengar
NBRC Manesar

Animal cognition comprises of various cognitive processes such as learning, memory, perception and decision-making used to generate adaptive or flexible behaviours.  Some of the behaviours which have demonstrated the presence of cognition in animals include problem-solving, communication, theory of mind, tool use, behaviour, brain structure and function and perception. Besides these factors, a number of studies have focused on emotions, judgement, empathy and social interactions in mammals, especially in primates. Recent studies have demonstrated that a number of the so-called higher cognitive functions are performed with equal ease by different species of birds, especially those of the genus Corvidacea (corvids, including crows, rooks, ravens, jays and starlings).  Whereas some species can use tools, others can solve eight-step problems and are known to possess a ‘Theory of Mind’.  Despite the fact that a large number of behavioural studies have been performed on crows, little is known about the details of brain structure in these birds. We used neuroanatomical methods to study the dopaminergic system which is known to be involved in cognition in house crows (Corvus splendens) and found that its organization resembled that in songbirds such as zebra finches.  Besides their problem-solving abilities, corvids are known to be excellent at visual perception.  Results from our lab have demonstrated that house crows can differentiate between different sets of patterns presented to them.  We also performed experiments on self-awareness in zebra finches (songbirds) and house crows and found unexpected differences in their performance on the mark test.