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Description
Although reductionistic studies of mechanisms of learning in a broad range of model species have advanced our understanding of neural mechanisms, our integrated understanding of mechanisms, behavior, ecology, and evolution of learning remains patchy. A more wholistic research approach in a model lineage of species related to the sea hare, Aplysia californica, has revealed a complete loss of mechanisms of sensitization in one sea-hare genus, Dolabrifera, with concomitant changes in its behavior and ecology. A partial loss of sensitization via different mechanisms in a sister genus, Phyllaplysia, provides further information for our evolving understanding of the evolution of learning and memory. Does a relatively specific “change in diet” hypothesis, or a more universal “generalist versus specialist” hypothesis better predict the patterns? Further analyses of sensitization in a half-dozen additional sea-hare genera will distinguish the predictive powers of these and other synthetic evolutionary theories.
ISBN
9781108768450
Publication Date
5-26-2022
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Disciplines
Biology | Cognitive Neuroscience | Marine Biology | Other Neuroscience and Neurobiology
Recommended Citation
Wright, W. G. (2022). Adaptive evolution of learning and memory in a model lineage. In M. A. Krause, K. L. Hollis, & M. R. Papini (Eds.), em>Evolution of Learning and Memory Mechanisms (pp. 33-51). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108768450.005
Copyright
Cambridge University Press
Included in
Biology Commons, Cognitive Neuroscience Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Other Neuroscience and Neurobiology Commons
Comments
In Mark A. Krause, Karen L. Hollis, & Mauricio R. Papini (Eds.), Evolution of Learning and Memory Mechanisms.