Collared with a special logger, we collect activity data of this grey mouse lemur during the dry season in Madagascar.
Newswise — Cognitive skills vary not solely across species but also within the same species. Intelligent individuals are expected to have longer lifespans due to their ability to make superior choices regarding habitat, food selection, predator evasion, and infant care. To explore the factors that influence the life expectancy of gray mouse lemurs in the wild, scientists from the German Primate Center conducted an extensive study in Madagascar. They employed four cognitive tests and two personality tests on 198 animals, while also recording their weight and tracking their survival over numerous years. The cognitive tests measured problem-solving (food retrieval by manipulating a slider), spatial memory (recall of hidden food locations), inhibitory control (taking detours to access food), and causal understanding (food retrieval by pulling a string). The initial personality test assessed exploratory behavior, while the second gauged curiosity based on the animals' responses to unfamiliar objects.
Either being particularly smart or particularly explorative – both strategies can lead to longer life
In the research, individuals displaying superior cognitive performance demonstrated reduced levels of exploratory behavior in comparison to their less proficient counterparts. Conversely, individuals with a higher inclination for exploration exhibited greater body weights, which can be attributed to their enhanced ability to locate food resources. Additionally, the study revealed a correlation between better cognitive abilities, increased weight, heightened exploratory behavior, and extended lifespans among the animals. Claudia Fichtel, the study's primary author and a scientist at the German Primate Center, stated, "These findings imply that being either intelligent or possessing robust physical condition and a penchant for exploration are distinct strategies that can contribute to an extended lifespan." Fichtel further added, "In future investigations, our goal is to explore how cognitive abilities manifest in behavioral strategies aimed at acquiring food or finding a suitable mate."
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