Mirror self-recognition in the bottlenose dolphin: a case of cognitive convergence.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 11331768.
- Also identified by PMC identifier 33317.
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Abstract
The ability to recognize oneself in a mirror is an exceedingly rare capacity in the animal kingdom. To date, only humans and great apes have shown convincing evidence of mirror self-recognition. Two dolphins were exposed to reflective surfaces, and both demonstrated responses consistent with the use of the mirror to investigate marked parts of the body. This ability to use a mirror to inspect parts of the body is a striking example of evolutionary convergence with great apes and humans.
Medical subject headings
- Cognition
- Dolphins
- Visual Perception