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Evolution and Plasticity of Cognitive Capacities

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Introduction	Memory plays a crucial role in the development of animals’ behavior, their survival and their reproductive success. As a product of evolution variation in memory capacities have been observed among species and populations of the same species. Evolutionary studies on animal cognition have mainly focused on the fitness benefits of memory while neglecting costs. However, the extent to which natural selection favors investment in developing good memory will depend on the balance between its costs and benefits, balance which may depend on environmental conditions. A relationship between environmental conditions and memory evolution has been hypothesized but poorly studied despite its importance in the understanding of behavioral plasticity and adaptation. Using drosophila as a model system we study the genetic and environmental variation of learning and memory, the costs associated with memory storage and the relationship among the different memory phases.

Introduction

Memory plays a crucial role in the development of animals’ behavior, their survival and their reproductive success. As a product of evolution variation in memory capacities have been observed among species and populations of the same species. Evolutionary studies on animal cognition have mainly focused on the fitness benefits of memory while neglecting costs. However, the extent to which natural selection favors investment in developing good memory will depend on the balance between its costs and benefits, balance which may depend on environmental conditions. A relationship between environmental conditions and memory evolution has been hypothesized but poorly studied despite its importance in the understanding of behavioral plasticity and adaptation. Using drosophila as a model system we study the genetic and environmental variation of learning and memory, the costs associated with memory storage and the relationship among the different memory phases.