The mentality of crows: Convergent evolution of intelligence in corvids and apes. Emery, N. J & Clayton, N. S Science, 306(5703):1903-7, 2004.
doi  abstract   bibtex   
Discussions of the evolution of intelligence have focused on monkeys and apes because of their close evolutionary relationship to humans. Other large-brained social animals, such as corvids, also understand their physical and social worlds. Here we review recent studies of tool manufacture, mental time travel, and social cognition in corvids, and suggest that complex cognition depends on a "tool kit" consisting of causal reasoning, flexibility, imagination, and prospection. Because corvids and apes share these cognitive tools, we argue that complex cognitive abilities evolved multiple times in distantly related species with vastly different brain structures in order to solve similar socioecological problems.
@Article{Emery2004,
  author   = {Nathan J Emery and Nicola S Clayton},
  journal  = {Science},
  title    = {The mentality of crows: {C}onvergent evolution of intelligence in corvids and apes.},
  year     = {2004},
  number   = {5703},
  pages    = {1903-7},
  volume   = {306},
  abstract = {Discussions of the evolution of intelligence have focused on monkeys
	and apes because of their close evolutionary relationship to humans.
	Other large-brained social animals, such as corvids, also understand
	their physical and social worlds. Here we review recent studies of
	tool manufacture, mental time travel, and social cognition in corvids,
	and suggest that complex cognition depends on a "tool kit" consisting
	of causal reasoning, flexibility, imagination, and prospection. Because
	corvids and apes share these cognitive tools, we argue that complex
	cognitive abilities evolved multiple times in distantly related species
	with vastly different brain structures in order to solve similar
	socioecological problems.},
  doi      = {10.1126/science.1098410},
  keywords = {Animals, Behavior, Animal, Brain, Cognition, Crows, Evolution, Hominidae, Imagination, Intelligence, Memory, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Social Behavior, 15591194},
}

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