Data from: Learning outdoors: Male lizards show flexible spatial learning under semi-natural conditions

Spatial cognition is predicted to be a fundamental component of fitness in many lizard species, and yet some studies suggest that it is relatively slow and inflexible. However, such claims are based on work conducted using experimental designs or in artificial contexts that may underestimate their cognitive abilities. We used a biologically realistic experimental procedure (using simulated predatory attacks) to study spatial learning and its flexibility in the lizard Eulamprus quoyii in semi-natural outdoor enclosures under similar conditions to those experienced by lizards in the wild. To evaluate the flexibility of spatial learning, we conducted a reversal spatial-learning task in which positive and negative reinforcements of learnt spatial stimuli were switched. Nineteen (32%) male lizards learnt both tasks within 10 days (spatial task mean: 8.16 ± 0.69 (s.e.) and reversal spatial task mean: 10.74 ± 0.98 (s.e.) trials). We demonstrate that E. quoyii are capable of flexible spatial learning and suggest that future studies focus on a range of lizard species which differ in phylogeny and/or ecology, using biologically relevant cognitive tasks, in an effort to bridge the cognitive divide between ecto- and endotherms.

Usage Notes
Noble_et_al_2012Number of incorrect choices and latency (seconds) to enter a safe refuge for 60 Eulamprus quoyii lizards across 10-11 days and 30-33 trials. Data was used to run a GLMM and collected under semi-natural conditions. NA values are incidences were lizards were already in the safe refuge. Datafile was created in microsoft 2011 (Mac OS X)

空间认知被认为是许多蜥蜴物种适合度的核心构成要素，但部分研究指出其认知过程相对迟缓且缺乏灵活性。然而此类论断均基于特定实验设计或人工实验环境下的研究，可能低估了蜥蜴的实际认知能力。本研究采用具有生态学真实性的实验范式（使用模拟捕食攻击），在半自然室外围栏装置中模拟野生蜥蜴的自然生存环境，对奎氏优肢石龙子（Eulamprus quoyii）的空间学习能力及其灵活性展开研究。为评估空间学习的灵活性，我们设置了反转空间学习任务，对已习得的空间刺激的正向与负向强化物进行互换。共有19只（占受试个体的32%）雄性蜥蜴在10天内完成了两项任务：空间任务平均试验次数为8.16±0.69（标准误，s.e.），反转空间任务平均试验次数为10.74±0.98（标准误，s.e.）。本研究证实奎氏优肢石龙子具备灵活的空间学习能力，并建议未来研究可聚焦于系统发育和/或生态位存在差异的多种蜥蜴物种，采用具有生物学相关性的认知任务，以弥合变温动物与恒温动物之间的认知鸿沟。

使用说明
Noble等人2012年研究数据：记录了60只奎氏优肢石龙子（Eulamprus quoyii）在10~11天内完成30~33次试验过程中的错误选择次数与进入安全庇护所的潜伏期（单位：秒）。本数据用于构建广义线性混合模型（Generalized Linear Mixed Model, GLMM），采集于半自然环境。缺失值（NA）对应蜥蜴已处于安全庇护所的记录。数据集于微软2011（Mac OS X系统）中创建。