Condition dependence, developmental plasticity, and cognition: implications for ecology and evolution

Across taxa, both neural growth and cognitive function show considerable developmental plasticity. Data from studies of decision making, learning, and discrimination demonstrate that early life conditions have an impact on subsequent neural growth, maintenance, and cognition, with important ecological and evolutionary implications. Here, we provide a synthesis of the evidence that spatial and vocal learning are condition dependent, addressing what is known about their physiological control and the functional explanations. Neural investment is predicted to be affected by environmental conditions, but the shape of the response should depend on the fitness benefits of the cognitive traits under control. From an evolutionary perspective, traits promoting resistance to environmental perturbations should be favored when the cognitive trait is a crucial determinant of fitness.