Lateralization in a partial migrating roach population
Abstract: Lateralization is the functional specialization to use one brain hemisphere to carry out certain cognitive tasks. Lateralization is widespread across numerous taxa and gives the organism the possibility to increase neural capacity without increasing brain size. The degree and direction of lateralization varies within populations, suggesting that there also are disadvantages to being lateralized. Here I examined correlates between behavioral lateralization and alternative migratory strategies in a partially migratory population of Roach (Rutilus rutilus). I assessed behavioral lateralization in migratory and resident phenotypes and also measured the repeatability of behavioral lateralization in this species. My results show no signs of lateralization in either migrant or resident fish, which suggests that there is a disadvantage, like lower ability to evaluate the environment equally with both eyes, connected to being lateralized.
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