[Koglist] REMINDER: TOMORROW: Adaptation via innovation in the animal kingdom

Dear All, We would like to invite you to the following talk by Kata Horváth (Eötvös Loránd University & Lund University), organized as part of the ELTE Cognitive Seminar series. Time and date: 16:30 (CET), Thursday, November 24th 2022 Speaker: Kata Horváth (Eötvös Loránd University & Lund University) Title: Adaptation via innovation in the animal kingdom Abstract: Over the course of evolution, the human race has achieved a number of remarkable innovations, that have enabled us to adapt to and benefit from the environment ever more effectively. The ongoing environmental threats and health disasters of our world have now made it crucial to understand the cognitive mechanisms behind innovative behaviours. In my talk, I will present two research projects with examples of innovation-based behavioural adaptation from the taxonomic kingdom of animals, serving as a comparative psychological model for mapping the evolution of innovation. The first project focuses on the challenge of overcoming physical disability. In this study, we investigated an injured kea (Nestor notabilis) that exhibits an efficient, intentional, and innovative tool-use behaviour to compensate his disability, showing evidence for innovation-based adaptation to a physical disability in a non-human species. The second project focuses on the evolution of fire use from a cognitive perspective. Fire has been one of the most dominant ecological forces in human evolution; however, it is still unknown what capabilities and environmental factors could have led to the emergence of fire use. In the core study of this project, we investigated a captive population of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) that has been regularly exposed to campfires during the cold winter months for over 60 years. Our results suggest that macaques are able to take advantage of the positive effects of fire while avoiding the dangers of flames and hot ashes, and exhibit calm behaviour around the bonfire. In addition, I will present a research proposal targeting the foraging behaviour of predatory birds in parts of Australia frequently affected by bushfires. Anecdotal reports suggest that some birds use burning sticks to spread the flames, a behaviour that has not been scientifically observed and evaluated. In summary, the two projects explore innovative behaviours along three different species groups, three different habitats, and three different ecological drivers, providing insights into the cognitive and behavioural mechanisms of adaptation through innovation. Zoom Meeting https://ppk-elte-hu.zoom.us/j/96481843393?pwd=Zm56d3FXbUhjb3NSaGgvYjI5SUdTU… Passcode: 683829 Meeting ID: 964 8184 3393 If you have questions about the event, please contact us via email (szabo.eszter.dora(a)ppk.elte.hu). We look forward to seeing you at the event, Eszter Dóra Szabó organizer ELTE Department of Cognitive Psychology