Honeybee visual cognition: a miniature brain’s simple solutions to complex problems
Abstract
In recent decades we have seen a string of remarkable discoveries detailing the
impressive cognitive abilities of bees (social learning, concept learning and even
counting). But should these discoveries be regarded as spectacular because bees manage
to achieve human-like computations of visual image analysis and reasoning? Here I
offer a radically different explanation. Using theoretical bee brain models and detailed
flight analysis of bees undergoing behavioural experiments I counter the widespread
view that complex visual recognition and classification requires animals to not only
store representations of images, but also perform advanced computations on them.
Using a bottom-up approach I created theoretical models inspired by the known
anatomical structures and neuronal responses within the bee brain and assessed how
much neural complexity is required to accomplish behaviourally relevant tasks. Model
simulations of just eight large-field orientation-sensitive neurons from the optic ganglia
and a single layer of simple neuronal connectivity within the mushroom bodies
(learning centres) generated performances remarkably similar to the empirical result of
real bees during both discrimination and generalisation orientation pattern experiments.
My models also hypothesised that complex ‘above and below’ conceptual learning,
often used to exemplify how ‘clever’ bees are, could instead be accomplished by very
simple inspection of the target patterns. Analysis of the bees’ flight paths during
training on this task found bees utilised an even simpler mechanism than anticipated,
demonstrating how the insects use unique and elegant solutions to deal with complex
visual challenges. The true impact of my research is therefore not merely showing a
model that can solve a particular set of generalisation experiments, but in providing a
fundamental shift in how we should perceive visual recognition problems. Across animals, equally simple neuronal architectures may well underlie the cognitive
affordances that we currently assume to be required for more complex conceptual and
discrimination tasks.
Authors
Roper, MarkCollections
- Theses [4223]