Does artificial light pollution impair problem-solving success in peafowl?

AbstractBehavioral innovations allow animals to adjust their behavior to solve novel problems. While innovative behavior can be important for animals living in new environments, anthropogenic pollution may limit their ability to adapt by impairing cognition or motivation. In particular, exposure to light pollution at night can cause sleep deprivation and may, therefore, hinder innovative behavior. To test this hypothesis, we examined experimentally whether exposure to acute light pollution impacts problemsolving success in peafowl (Pavo cristatus). After peafowl were exposed to artificial light pollution for one night, they were presented with a problemsolving task in which they could extract food by piercing the lid of an unfamiliar food bowl. Their problemsolving success was unrelated to shortterm light pollution exposure. Other factors, including persistence, sex of the bird, and moon illumination, influenced their success in solving the task. The results suggest that shortterm exposure to light pollution does not limit behavioral innovation, but longterm studies are necessary to further probe this question.

Does artificial light pollution impair problem-solving success in peafowl? Academic Article