Geographic differences in individual recognition linked with social but not nonsocial cognition
Data files
Jun 18, 2025 version files 187.71 KB
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MIPA_Data_Long_20250220.csv
89.13 KB
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MIPA_Data_Long_Sup_20250224.csv
96.02 KB
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README.md
2.56 KB
Abstract
Cognition is a complex trait with multiple components that may vary independently or in concert. Thus far, we know little about how geographic differences in behavior are linked with different aspects of cognition. Behavioral differences could be linked with cognition in three ways: with multiple aspects of cognition, some but not other aspects of cognition, or no cognitive differences. Here, we compare cognitive performance in two populations of Polistes fuscatus wasps that differ in their capacity for individual face recognition. Individual recognition involves keeping track of multiple individual relationships and responding appropriately, so it is thought to increase social complexity. As a result, we predicted Michigan wasps that use individual recognition may have better cognitive performance than Pennsylvania wasps that are not able to individually recognize conspecifics. We find that Michigan wasps are more adept at individual face learning than Pennsylvania wasps. However, the populations perform similarly on other cognitive tasks, including color learning and memory, reversal learning, and odor learning and memory. Therefore, population differences in social behavior affect individual face learning, but are not linked with generalized differences in cognition. These findings suggest that socially complex societies may influence the evolution of social cognition specifically.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.t1g1jwtdn
Description of the data and file structure
Paper wasps foundresses and their nests from Michigan, USA and Pennsylvania, USA were collected in June 2022 and 2023. They were brought back to the lab and reared in a growth chamber. Workers were individually marked as they emerged. Upon reaching maturity, workers were tested on either individual face learning, odor learning and memory, or initial color learning, memory, and reversal. These data were analyzed in R.
Files and variables
File: MIPA_Data_Long_20250220.csv
Description: The dataset used for the main manuscript and includes all the variables analyzed. Missing values are indicated by an NA.
Variables
- Population: The population from which the wasp belonged (Michigan [MI] or Pennsylvania [PA])
- WaspID: The individual identifier for each wasp.
- TestType: The type of cognitive test measured (individual face learning, odor learning, odor memory, initial color learning, color memory, or color reversal)
- TrialNumber: Each cognitive test had ten trials so this variable denotes which trial number the response belongs to.
- Response: This denotes whether the wasp chose correctly (1) or incorrectly (0) for that trial.
- Year: This denotes which year this testing occurred in (2022 or 2023).
- NestID: This denotes which nest the wasp belonged to.
- Age: This denotes how old the wasp was at the age of testing. Unit of measurement = days.
File: MIPA_Data_Long_Sup_20250224.csv
Description: The dataset used for the supplemental information and includes all the variables analyzed. Missing values are indicated by an NA.
Variables
- Population: The population from which the wasp belonged (Michigan [MI] or Pennsylvania [PA])
- WaspID: The individual identifier for each wasp.
- TestType: The type of cognitive test measured (individual face learning, odor learning, odor memory, initial color learning, color memory, or color reversal)
- TrialNumber: Each cognitive test had ten trials so this variable denotes which trial number the response belongs to.
- Response: This denotes whether the wasp chose correctly (1) or incorrectly (0) for that trial.
- Year: This denotes which year this testing occurred in (2022 or 2023).
- NestID: This denotes which nest the wasp belonged to.
- Age: This denotes how old the wasp was at the age of testing.Unit of measurement = days.