您现在的位置: Language Tips> Easy English> Odd Question  
 





 
鱼有多聪明?
[ 2007-08-22 15:19 ]

人们习惯上认为吃鱼可以补脑,可是又习惯上认为鱼这种动物很笨。近来科学家的研究推翻了这一传统看法:鱼比我们想象的要聪明多了。

Fish are socially intelligent creatures that do not deserve their reputation as the dim-wits of the animal kingdom, according to a group of leading scientists.

Rather than simply being instinct-driven, the group says fish are cunning, manipulative and even cultured.

The three experts from the universities of Edinburgh, St Andrews and Leeds said there had been huge changes in science's understanding of the psychological and mental abilities of fish in the last few years.

Writing in the journal Fish and Fisheries, biologists Calum Brown, Keven Laland and Jens Krause said fish were now seen as highly intelligent creatures.

They said: "Gone (or at least obsolete) is the image of fish as drudging and dim-witted pea-brains, driven largely by 'instinct', with what little behavioural flexibility they possess being severely hampered by an infamous 'three-second memory'.

"Now, fish are regarded as steeped in social intelligence, pursuing Machiavellian strategies of manipulation, punishment and reconciliation, exhibiting stable cultural traditions, and co-operating to inspect predators and catch food."

Recent research had shown that fish recognised individual "shoal mates", social prestige and even tracked relationships.

Scientists had also observed them using tools, building complex nests and exhibiting long-term memories.

The scientists added: "Although it may seem extraordinary to those comfortably used to pre-judging animal intelligence on the basis of brain volume, in some cognitive domains, fishes can even be favorably compared to non-human primates."

They said fish were the most ancient of the major vertebrate groups, giving them "ample time" to evolve complex, adaptable and diverse behavior patterns that rivaled those of other vertebrates.

"These developments warrant a re-appraisal of the behavioral flexibility of fishes, and highlight the need for a deeper understanding of the learning processes that underpin the newly recognised behavioral and social sophistication of this taxon," said the scientists.

vertebrate: 脊椎动物

(来源:中国日报 英语点津 Annabel 编辑)

我想了解更多趣味百科知识

 
 
相关文章 Related Stories
 
 
 

本频道最新推荐

     
  为什么下雪时天气暖
  You are the smartest fish I've ever seen!
  Dog burger
  为什么老了脾气好
  飞蛾为什么扑火

论坛热贴

     
  开个题目大家扯:hotel & restaurant
  追求某人
  请教工商年检如何翻译
  How to translate “中国老字号”into English?
  "港股直通车"怎么翻译?
  两免一补怎么说?