Tay (Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró)
@biotay.bsky.social
Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró, Goffin Lab, Vienna, Austria
PhD^2 and Ninja Biologist.
Animal Behavior and Comparative Cognition.
Human perch for cockatoos.
Also here: twitter.com/BioTay
More about me here: https://osunamascaro.weebly.com/
PhD^2 and Ninja Biologist.
Animal Behavior and Comparative Cognition.
Human perch for cockatoos.
Also here: twitter.com/BioTay
More about me here: https://osunamascaro.weebly.com/
14/14 Although we still don't have an answer to consciousness, we can infer (always indirectly) its existence in nature and the functions with which it is associated. So far, I would say that consciousness and cognition (traditionally separate) go hand in hand.
November 23, 2025 at 7:21 PM
14/14 Although we still don't have an answer to consciousness, we can infer (always indirectly) its existence in nature and the functions with which it is associated. So far, I would say that consciousness and cognition (traditionally separate) go hand in hand.
11/14 In these cases, the visual experience alternates between two ambiguous stimuli.
In this case, it was demonstrated in flies, and their alternation between attention to one object or another is like ours.
(paper, 2020) onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
In this case, it was demonstrated in flies, and their alternation between attention to one object or another is like ours.
(paper, 2020) onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
November 23, 2025 at 7:21 PM
11/14 In these cases, the visual experience alternates between two ambiguous stimuli.
In this case, it was demonstrated in flies, and their alternation between attention to one object or another is like ours.
(paper, 2020) onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
In this case, it was demonstrated in flies, and their alternation between attention to one object or another is like ours.
(paper, 2020) onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
10/14 The authors give other examples, such as ocular rivalry, which also cannot occur with blind vision. One of my favorite examples is Necker's cube, in which your perspective depends entirely on yourself, but the typical cup-face illusion also works.
November 23, 2025 at 7:21 PM
10/14 The authors give other examples, such as ocular rivalry, which also cannot occur with blind vision. One of my favorite examples is Necker's cube, in which your perspective depends entirely on yourself, but the typical cup-face illusion also works.
9/14 We know that insects can recognize objects in an intermodal way.
They have a mental image of the world accessible to all their senses, just like us. For example, they can recognize objects by sight if they have previously encountered them by touch in the dark, and vice versa.
They have a mental image of the world accessible to all their senses, just like us. For example, they can recognize objects by sight if they have previously encountered them by touch in the dark, and vice versa.
November 23, 2025 at 7:21 PM
9/14 We know that insects can recognize objects in an intermodal way.
They have a mental image of the world accessible to all their senses, just like us. For example, they can recognize objects by sight if they have previously encountered them by touch in the dark, and vice versa.
They have a mental image of the world accessible to all their senses, just like us. For example, they can recognize objects by sight if they have previously encountered them by touch in the dark, and vice versa.
3/14 Blindsight was discovered in monkeys by Nicholas Humphrey (I recommend this talk of his). It occurs when the primary visual cortex is damaged. In these cases, the person claims to have gone blind, but acts as if they were sighted.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QWa...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QWa...
November 23, 2025 at 7:21 PM
3/14 Blindsight was discovered in monkeys by Nicholas Humphrey (I recommend this talk of his). It occurs when the primary visual cortex is damaged. In these cases, the person claims to have gone blind, but acts as if they were sighted.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QWa...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QWa...
1/14 Evidence of visual awareness in insects
Some have argued that insects behave like small robots without consciousness. In this article (mostly focusing on bees), evidence is gathered to show that they have subjective experience.
(paper) www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
Some have argued that insects behave like small robots without consciousness. In this article (mostly focusing on bees), evidence is gathered to show that they have subjective experience.
(paper) www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
November 23, 2025 at 7:21 PM
1/14 Evidence of visual awareness in insects
Some have argued that insects behave like small robots without consciousness. In this article (mostly focusing on bees), evidence is gathered to show that they have subjective experience.
(paper) www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
Some have argued that insects behave like small robots without consciousness. In this article (mostly focusing on bees), evidence is gathered to show that they have subjective experience.
(paper) www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
2/2 Perhaps most interestingly, 44% of passengers said they did not notice Batman's presence.
Positive and unexpected environmental alterations can promote kindness, from artistic interventions to Batman.
Positive and unexpected environmental alterations can promote kindness, from artistic interventions to Batman.
November 22, 2025 at 7:36 AM
2/2 Perhaps most interestingly, 44% of passengers said they did not notice Batman's presence.
Positive and unexpected environmental alterations can promote kindness, from artistic interventions to Batman.
Positive and unexpected environmental alterations can promote kindness, from artistic interventions to Batman.
1/2 The Batman effect
A pregnant researcher (fake pregnancy) gets on the subway. Another researcher, dressed either normally or as Batman, also boards. Passengers offered their seats more often when Batman was present (67.21% versus 37.66%; n 138)
(paper) www.nature.com/articles/s44...
A pregnant researcher (fake pregnancy) gets on the subway. Another researcher, dressed either normally or as Batman, also boards. Passengers offered their seats more often when Batman was present (67.21% versus 37.66%; n 138)
(paper) www.nature.com/articles/s44...
November 22, 2025 at 7:36 AM
1/2 The Batman effect
A pregnant researcher (fake pregnancy) gets on the subway. Another researcher, dressed either normally or as Batman, also boards. Passengers offered their seats more often when Batman was present (67.21% versus 37.66%; n 138)
(paper) www.nature.com/articles/s44...
A pregnant researcher (fake pregnancy) gets on the subway. Another researcher, dressed either normally or as Batman, also boards. Passengers offered their seats more often when Batman was present (67.21% versus 37.66%; n 138)
(paper) www.nature.com/articles/s44...
2/2 The greatest energy expenditure occurs at the start of complex cognitive processes (especially if they are multimodal and complex, such as social cognition) and in the frontoparietal areas.
It is inexpensive thanks to the fact that it functions as a predictive machine and to its very structure.
It is inexpensive thanks to the fact that it functions as a predictive machine and to its very structure.
November 21, 2025 at 8:06 PM
2/2 The greatest energy expenditure occurs at the start of complex cognitive processes (especially if they are multimodal and complex, such as social cognition) and in the frontoparietal areas.
It is inexpensive thanks to the fact that it functions as a predictive machine and to its very structure.
It is inexpensive thanks to the fact that it functions as a predictive machine and to its very structure.
1/2 How much does thinking cost?
The brain consumes a large part of our energy (20% at rest), but it is actually very little (about 17 watts); it is extremely efficient. The most surprising thing is that cognitive effort only increases it by 5%.
(paper) www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
The brain consumes a large part of our energy (20% at rest), but it is actually very little (about 17 watts); it is extremely efficient. The most surprising thing is that cognitive effort only increases it by 5%.
(paper) www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
November 21, 2025 at 8:06 PM
1/2 How much does thinking cost?
The brain consumes a large part of our energy (20% at rest), but it is actually very little (about 17 watts); it is extremely efficient. The most surprising thing is that cognitive effort only increases it by 5%.
(paper) www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
The brain consumes a large part of our energy (20% at rest), but it is actually very little (about 17 watts); it is extremely efficient. The most surprising thing is that cognitive effort only increases it by 5%.
(paper) www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
Extra: Over the years, I have shared many fascinating articles about the cognitive abilities of these creatures, so it was difficult for me to choose which related article to link to. I will leave you with this gem.
H. formosus Courtship dance (sound on!)
(paper, 2021) bioone.org/journals/the...
H. formosus Courtship dance (sound on!)
(paper, 2021) bioone.org/journals/the...
November 20, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Extra: Over the years, I have shared many fascinating articles about the cognitive abilities of these creatures, so it was difficult for me to choose which related article to link to. I will leave you with this gem.
H. formosus Courtship dance (sound on!)
(paper, 2021) bioone.org/journals/the...
H. formosus Courtship dance (sound on!)
(paper, 2021) bioone.org/journals/the...
2/2 They have demonstrated this with two habituation/dishabituation experiments (it is difficult to ask spiders such a thing). These spiders (P. regius) are not social; the authors believe that this is the result of
(blog) elifesciences.org/digests/9714...
(blog) elifesciences.org/digests/9714...
November 20, 2025 at 6:55 PM
2/2 They have demonstrated this with two habituation/dishabituation experiments (it is difficult to ask spiders such a thing). These spiders (P. regius) are not social; the authors believe that this is the result of
(blog) elifesciences.org/digests/9714...
(blog) elifesciences.org/digests/9714...
1/2 Jumping spiders recognize each other individually
The most surprising thing about this is that they do so using mental representations that remain in their long-term memory, which is a result of their general cognitive abilities (!!!)
(paper) elifesciences.org/articles/97146
The most surprising thing about this is that they do so using mental representations that remain in their long-term memory, which is a result of their general cognitive abilities (!!!)
(paper) elifesciences.org/articles/97146
November 20, 2025 at 6:55 PM
1/2 Jumping spiders recognize each other individually
The most surprising thing about this is that they do so using mental representations that remain in their long-term memory, which is a result of their general cognitive abilities (!!!)
(paper) elifesciences.org/articles/97146
The most surprising thing about this is that they do so using mental representations that remain in their long-term memory, which is a result of their general cognitive abilities (!!!)
(paper) elifesciences.org/articles/97146
5/5 After this, the invader assumes the role of queen: the workers care for her, cleaning and feeding her, while she begins to lay the eggs that will give rise to her new colony.
Furthermore, there appears to be a convergence between the two species.
(blog) phys.org/news/2025-11...
Furthermore, there appears to be a convergence between the two species.
(blog) phys.org/news/2025-11...
November 18, 2025 at 7:56 PM
5/5 After this, the invader assumes the role of queen: the workers care for her, cleaning and feeding her, while she begins to lay the eggs that will give rise to her new colony.
Furthermore, there appears to be a convergence between the two species.
(blog) phys.org/news/2025-11...
Furthermore, there appears to be a convergence between the two species.
(blog) phys.org/news/2025-11...
1/5 Parasitic queen ants
The queen of certain ant species has been found to act as a parasite in the colonies of other species. She manipulates the behaviour of the workers so that they kill their own queen, allowing her to replace her.
The queen of certain ant species has been found to act as a parasite in the colonies of other species. She manipulates the behaviour of the workers so that they kill their own queen, allowing her to replace her.
November 18, 2025 at 7:56 PM
1/5 Parasitic queen ants
The queen of certain ant species has been found to act as a parasite in the colonies of other species. She manipulates the behaviour of the workers so that they kill their own queen, allowing her to replace her.
The queen of certain ant species has been found to act as a parasite in the colonies of other species. She manipulates the behaviour of the workers so that they kill their own queen, allowing her to replace her.
2/2 The advantage of those individuals who are calmer around humans would be selecting traits typical of domestication (behavioral and physical changes).
I think it makes sense, however, I wonder if there could be a bias in the photographs taken.
(blog) www.scientificamerican.com/article/racc...
I think it makes sense, however, I wonder if there could be a bias in the photographs taken.
(blog) www.scientificamerican.com/article/racc...
November 16, 2025 at 5:44 PM
2/2 The advantage of those individuals who are calmer around humans would be selecting traits typical of domestication (behavioral and physical changes).
I think it makes sense, however, I wonder if there could be a bias in the photographs taken.
(blog) www.scientificamerican.com/article/racc...
I think it makes sense, however, I wonder if there could be a bias in the photographs taken.
(blog) www.scientificamerican.com/article/racc...
1/2 Raccoons are domesticating themselves
They have studied iNaturalist photographs from the countryside and cities, and city raccoons have snouts 3.56% shorter in proportion to their skulls. This could indicate a domestication syndrome
(paper) frontiersinzoology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
They have studied iNaturalist photographs from the countryside and cities, and city raccoons have snouts 3.56% shorter in proportion to their skulls. This could indicate a domestication syndrome
(paper) frontiersinzoology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
November 16, 2025 at 5:44 PM
1/2 Raccoons are domesticating themselves
They have studied iNaturalist photographs from the countryside and cities, and city raccoons have snouts 3.56% shorter in proportion to their skulls. This could indicate a domestication syndrome
(paper) frontiersinzoology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
They have studied iNaturalist photographs from the countryside and cities, and city raccoons have snouts 3.56% shorter in proportion to their skulls. This could indicate a domestication syndrome
(paper) frontiersinzoology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
Extra: Cleaner fish are wrasses, a group that has been called the "primates of the fish world" because of their tool use, social cognition, and mirror self-recognition.
Take a look at this amazing wrasse (Semicossyphus reticulatus).
Sometimes intelligence is visible at first glance.
Take a look at this amazing wrasse (Semicossyphus reticulatus).
Sometimes intelligence is visible at first glance.
November 15, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Extra: Cleaner fish are wrasses, a group that has been called the "primates of the fish world" because of their tool use, social cognition, and mirror self-recognition.
Take a look at this amazing wrasse (Semicossyphus reticulatus).
Sometimes intelligence is visible at first glance.
Take a look at this amazing wrasse (Semicossyphus reticulatus).
Sometimes intelligence is visible at first glance.
6/6 They suggest that the shared ancestry hypothesis can explain its origin.
Brace yourselves: the mental representation of oneself must have originated before the divergence between actinopterygii and sarcopterygii, around 430 million years ago.
Brace yourselves: the mental representation of oneself must have originated before the divergence between actinopterygii and sarcopterygii, around 430 million years ago.
November 15, 2025 at 6:03 PM
6/6 They suggest that the shared ancestry hypothesis can explain its origin.
Brace yourselves: the mental representation of oneself must have originated before the divergence between actinopterygii and sarcopterygii, around 430 million years ago.
Brace yourselves: the mental representation of oneself must have originated before the divergence between actinopterygii and sarcopterygii, around 430 million years ago.
5/6 The authors reject the gradualist view of the evolution of self-awareness, as well as a possible origin by convergence, as there is no ecological explanation for why some species possess this ability.
November 15, 2025 at 6:03 PM
5/6 The authors reject the gradualist view of the evolution of self-awareness, as well as a possible origin by convergence, as there is no ecological explanation for why some species possess this ability.
3/6 The best evidence that motivation is essential to passing the famous mirror test can be found in cleaner fish. They pass the test with mirrors and photographs of themselves when the mark is relevant to them in terms of color and size (when it resembles a parasite).
November 15, 2025 at 6:03 PM
3/6 The best evidence that motivation is essential to passing the famous mirror test can be found in cleaner fish. They pass the test with mirrors and photographs of themselves when the mark is relevant to them in terms of color and size (when it resembles a parasite).
2/6 If pigs, chickens, dogs, and other animals are capable of using mirrors in this way, why do they fail the famous mirror test?
Here, it is argued that it is due to a lack of motivation, the movements required, because they do not care about a stain, or because it focuses on vision.
Here, it is argued that it is due to a lack of motivation, the movements required, because they do not care about a stain, or because it focuses on vision.
November 15, 2025 at 6:03 PM
2/6 If pigs, chickens, dogs, and other animals are capable of using mirrors in this way, why do they fail the famous mirror test?
Here, it is argued that it is due to a lack of motivation, the movements required, because they do not care about a stain, or because it focuses on vision.
Here, it is argued that it is due to a lack of motivation, the movements required, because they do not care about a stain, or because it focuses on vision.
1/6 Self-awareness could be VERY ancient
In this review, Masanori Kohda argues that the ability to use a mirror to locate objects, which roosters and hens possess, requires the prior ability to recognize oneself.
(paper) royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
In this review, Masanori Kohda argues that the ability to use a mirror to locate objects, which roosters and hens possess, requires the prior ability to recognize oneself.
(paper) royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
November 15, 2025 at 6:03 PM
1/6 Self-awareness could be VERY ancient
In this review, Masanori Kohda argues that the ability to use a mirror to locate objects, which roosters and hens possess, requires the prior ability to recognize oneself.
(paper) royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
In this review, Masanori Kohda argues that the ability to use a mirror to locate objects, which roosters and hens possess, requires the prior ability to recognize oneself.
(paper) royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
What does it feel like to be a remora?
It seems that, despite the benefits they provide, whales do not like their presence and do everything they can to get rid of them. They observe them, jump several times, and check again to see if they are still there.
(blog) phys.org/news/2025-11...
It seems that, despite the benefits they provide, whales do not like their presence and do everything they can to get rid of them. They observe them, jump several times, and check again to see if they are still there.
(blog) phys.org/news/2025-11...
November 15, 2025 at 4:46 PM
What does it feel like to be a remora?
It seems that, despite the benefits they provide, whales do not like their presence and do everything they can to get rid of them. They observe them, jump several times, and check again to see if they are still there.
(blog) phys.org/news/2025-11...
It seems that, despite the benefits they provide, whales do not like their presence and do everything they can to get rid of them. They observe them, jump several times, and check again to see if they are still there.
(blog) phys.org/news/2025-11...
Not as Victorian as previously thought
Nearly half of the diversity we see today in dog breeds was already present in the middle of the Stone Age.
(paper) www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
(blog) www.bbc.com/news/article...
Nearly half of the diversity we see today in dog breeds was already present in the middle of the Stone Age.
(paper) www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
(blog) www.bbc.com/news/article...
November 15, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Not as Victorian as previously thought
Nearly half of the diversity we see today in dog breeds was already present in the middle of the Stone Age.
(paper) www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
(blog) www.bbc.com/news/article...
Nearly half of the diversity we see today in dog breeds was already present in the middle of the Stone Age.
(paper) www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
(blog) www.bbc.com/news/article...