Discrimination of quantity has been argued to rely on two non-verbal representational systems: an object file system (OFS) for representing small values (B3–4) and an analog magnitude system (AMS) for representing large magnitudes ([4). Infants’ ability to discriminate 1 versus 2, 1versus3,2versus3,butnot1versus4or2versus4 seems to prove the independence of such systems. Here, we show that redtail splitfin fish (Xenotoca eiseni) performed relative quantity estimations preferring to approach the location previously occupied by the larger in number between two groups of conspecifics (no longer visible at test) in sets of 1 versus 2 and 2 versus 3 items, but failed at 3 versus 4 items, thus showing the same set-size limit as infants for discrimination of small quantities. However, when tested with quantities that spanned the boundary of the two systems, that is, 1 versus 4 and 2 versus 4, fish succeeded. These results thus point to either the use of continuous physical variables and/or the use of the AMS also for small numerousness in fish in this task.

Discrimination of small quantities by fish (redtail splitfin, Xenotoca eiseni / Stancher, Gionata; Sovrano, Valeria Anna; Potrich, Davide; Vallortigara, Giorgio. - In: ANIMAL COGNITION. - ISSN 1435-9448. - STAMPA. - 2013:16(2013), pp. 307-312. [10.1007/s10071-012-0590-y]

Discrimination of small quantities by fish (redtail splitfin, Xenotoca eiseni.

Stancher, Gionata;Sovrano, Valeria Anna;Potrich, Davide;Vallortigara, Giorgio
2013-01-01

Abstract

Discrimination of quantity has been argued to rely on two non-verbal representational systems: an object file system (OFS) for representing small values (B3–4) and an analog magnitude system (AMS) for representing large magnitudes ([4). Infants’ ability to discriminate 1 versus 2, 1versus3,2versus3,butnot1versus4or2versus4 seems to prove the independence of such systems. Here, we show that redtail splitfin fish (Xenotoca eiseni) performed relative quantity estimations preferring to approach the location previously occupied by the larger in number between two groups of conspecifics (no longer visible at test) in sets of 1 versus 2 and 2 versus 3 items, but failed at 3 versus 4 items, thus showing the same set-size limit as infants for discrimination of small quantities. However, when tested with quantities that spanned the boundary of the two systems, that is, 1 versus 4 and 2 versus 4, fish succeeded. These results thus point to either the use of continuous physical variables and/or the use of the AMS also for small numerousness in fish in this task.
2013
16
Stancher, Gionata; Sovrano, Valeria Anna; Potrich, Davide; Vallortigara, Giorgio
Discrimination of small quantities by fish (redtail splitfin, Xenotoca eiseni / Stancher, Gionata; Sovrano, Valeria Anna; Potrich, Davide; Vallortigara, Giorgio. - In: ANIMAL COGNITION. - ISSN 1435-9448. - STAMPA. - 2013:16(2013), pp. 307-312. [10.1007/s10071-012-0590-y]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11572/35062
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