caa a22 4500 60554249X CHVBK 20210128105200.0 cr unu---uuuuu 210128e20150901xx s 000 0 eng 10.1007/s10071-015-0884-y doi (NATIONALLICENCE)springer-10.1007/s10071-015-0884-y Quantification acuity in spontaneous shoaling decisions of three-spined sticklebacks [Elektronische Daten] [Marion Mehlis, Timo Thünken, Theo Bakker, Joachim Frommen] The ability to discriminate between different quantities is widespread throughout the animal kingdom, and the underlying mechanisms of quantity discrimination are currently intensely discussed. In contrast, questions elucidating the limits of quantity estimation received rather little attention so far. Here, we examined fine-tuned quantity estimation in the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) in a natural context, i.e. during shoaling decisions. Wild-caught focal fish were given the spontaneous choice between two shoals which differed in group size by 1 fish (0 vs. 1, 1 vs. 2, 2 vs. 3, 3 vs. 4, 4 vs. 5, 5 vs. 6 and 6 vs. 7), based on visual assessment. The results show that sticklebacks generally prefer to shoal with the larger group. They discriminated numerical contrasts up to 6 versus 7, equalling a numerical ratio of 0.86. Preference patterns followed Weber's law, i.e. decreased with increasing numerical ratio. This pattern was found across all numerical conditions as well as within the small number range (ranging from 1 vs. 2 to 3 vs. 4). The results suggest that wild-caught three-spined sticklebacks are spontaneously able (i.e. without prior learning) to detect subtle differences in shoal sizes. Further, they confirm findings of previous studies highlighting the contribution of the analogue magnitude system to quantity estimation in fishes. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2015 Counting nationallicence Fishes nationallicence Gasterosteus aculeatus nationallicence Numerical abilities nationallicence Shoaling nationallicence Weber's law nationallicence Mehlis Marion Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany aut Thünken Timo Department of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Berne, Wohlenstrasse 50a, 3032, Hinterkappelen, Switzerland aut Bakker Theo Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany aut Frommen Joachim Department of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Berne, Wohlenstrasse 50a, 3032, Hinterkappelen, Switzerland aut Animal Cognition Springer Berlin Heidelberg 18/5(2015-09-01), 1125-1131 1435-9448 18:5<1125 2015 18 10071 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-015-0884-y text/html Onlinezugriff via DOI BK010053 XK010053 XK010000 Metadata rights reserved Springer special CC-BY-NC licence nationallicence 1 research-article jats NATIONALLICENCE NATIONALLICENCE NL-springer NATIONALLICENCE 856 40 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-015-0884-y text/html Onlinezugriff via DOI NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Mehlis Marion Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Thünken Timo Department of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Berne, Wohlenstrasse 50a, 3032, Hinterkappelen, Switzerland aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Bakker Theo Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Frommen Joachim Department of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Berne, Wohlenstrasse 50a, 3032, Hinterkappelen, Switzerland aut NATIONALLICENCE 773 0- Animal Cognition Springer Berlin Heidelberg 18/5(2015-09-01), 1125-1131 1435-9448 18:5<1125 2015 18 10071 SWISSBIB 589381407