Selection for associative learning of color stimuli reveals correlated evolution of this learning ability across multiple stimuli and rewards

Maartje Liefting, Katja M. Hoedjes, Cécile Le Lann, Hans M. Smid, Jacintha Ellers

    Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    We are only starting to understand how variation in cognitive ability can result from local adaptations to environmental conditions. A major question in this regard is to what extent selection on cognitive ability in a specific context affects that ability in general through correlated evolution. To address this question, we performed artificial selection on visual associative learning in female Nasonia vitripennis wasps. Using appetitive conditioning in which a visual stimulus was offered in association with a host reward, the ability to learn visual associations was enhanced within 10 generations of selection. To test for correlated evolution affecting this form of learning, the ability to readily form learned associations in females was also tested using an olfactory instead of a visual stimulus in the appetitive conditioning. Additionally, we assessed whether the improved associative learning ability was expressed across sexes by color-conditioning males with a mating reward. Both females and males from the selected lines consistently demonstrated an increased associative learning ability compared to the control lines, independent of learning context or conditioned stimulus. No difference in relative volume of brain neuropils was detected between the selected and control lines.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1449-1459
    Number of pages11
    JournalEvolution
    Volume72
    Issue number7
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2018

    Funding

    J.E. was supported by the Netherlands Organisation of Scientific Research (NWO) VICI Grant No. 865.12.003, M.L. by NWO/ALW Open Competition Grant 820.01.023, H.M.S. and K.M.H. by NWO/ALW Open Competition Grant No. 819.01.011 and C.L.L. by the IEF People Program (Marie Curie Actions FP7/2007-2013) under REA Grant No. 274386, project COEVOLCLIM. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

    FundersFunder number
    IEF People Program (Marie Curie Actions FP7/2007
    NWO/ALW819.01.011
    Netherlands Organisation of Scientific Research
    Seventh Framework Programme274386
    Research Executive Agency
    Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek820.01.023, 865.12.003

      Keywords

      • Artificial selection
      • associative learning
      • color
      • Nasonia vitripennis
      • odor
      • sensory modality

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