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Home / Equine Research Bank / Proc Biol Sci / Cross-modal individual recognition in domestic horses (Equus...
Proceedings. Biological sciences2012; 279(1741); 3131-3138; doi: 10.1098/rspb.2012.0626

Cross-modal individual recognition in domestic horses (Equus caballus) extends to familiar humans.

Abstract: It has recently been shown that some non-human animals can cross-modally recognize members of their own taxon. What is unclear is just how plastic this recognition system can be. In this study, we investigate whether an animal, the domestic horse, is capable of spontaneous cross-modal recognition of individuals from a morphologically very different species. We also provide the first insights into how cross-modal identity information is processed by examining whether there are hemispheric biases in this important social skill. In our preferential looking paradigm, subjects were presented with two people and playbacks of their voices to determine whether they were able to match the voice with the person. When presented with familiar handlers subjects could match the specific familiar person with the correct familiar voice. Horses were significantly better at performing the matching task when the congruent person was standing on their right, indicating marked hemispheric specialization (left hemisphere bias) in this ability. These results are the first to demonstrate that cross-modal recognition in animals can extend to individuals from phylogenetically very distant species. They also indicate that processes governed by the left hemisphere are central to the cross-modal matching of visual and auditory information from familiar individuals in a naturalistic setting.
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Publication Date: 2012-05-16 PubMed ID: 22593108PubMed Central: PMC3385734DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2012.0626Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study investigates whether domestic horses can recognize familiar humans not just visually, but also by the sound of their voice, demonstrating the capability for cross-modal recognition between different species. The study also suggests a left hemisphere bias in this ability.

About the Research

  • The study focuses on exploring the ability of an animal to cross-modally recognize individuals of a significantly different species, using domestic horses as subjects for the research.
  • It expands upon previous knowledge that some non-human animals are capable of cross-modal recognition within their own species.
  • Cross-modal recognition refers to the ability to match information acquired from different sensory modalities – in this case, matching a familiar voice (auditory input) to a visual image of a person (visual input).

Methodology and Key Findigs

  • The researchers used a preferential looking paradigm where horses were presented with two people along with playbacks of their voices.
  • The objective was to determine whether horses could accurately identify a familiar person by matching their voice with their image.
  • The results indicated that when presented with familiar handlers, horses could indeed match the familiar person with the correct voice.
  • The study found a marked hemispheric specialization in this ability – horses were significantly better at performing the matching task when the person was positioned on their right side, indicating a left hemisphere bias.

Significance of the Research

  • This study is the first to demonstrate that cross-modal recognition in animals can extend to individuals from phylogenetically very distant species – in this case, humans.
  • It also suggests that processes governed by the left hemisphere play a crucial role in the cross-modal matching of visual and auditory information from familiar individuals.
  • This understanding can contribute to advancements in animal cognition study, particularly relating to interspecies understanding and communication.

Cite This Article

APA
Proops L, McComb K. (2012). Cross-modal individual recognition in domestic horses (Equus caballus) extends to familiar humans. Proc Biol Sci, 279(1741), 3131-3138. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2012.0626

Publication

Proceedings. Biological sciences
ISSN: 1471-2954
NlmUniqueID: 101245157
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 279
Issue: 1741
Pages: 3131-3138

Researcher Affiliations

Proops, Leanne
  • Mammal Vocal Communication and Cognition Research, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QH, UK. leanne.proops@gmail.com
McComb, Karen

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Auditory Perception
    • Female
    • Horses / psychology
    • Humans
    • Male
    • Recognition, Psychology
    • Social Behavior
    • Species Specificity
    • Visual Perception

    Grant Funding

    • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

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