Re: Earliest Animal Memory?


"Theo R." <tr@xxx> wrote in message news:dblsr6$bvo$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> What is the earliest and/or simplest animal whose CNS possesses a form of
> memory?
>
> Is it possible for even simpler animals (without a CNS) to have a memory?

Hi Theo. I am not an expert in this area, but your question strikes
me as interesting enough that I want to throw in my two cents in the
hope that someone more knowlegeable addresses my points too.

ISTM that the answer depends on what you mean by a "memory". A fairly
broad definition of a biological "memory" would require the following
(at least):
- there is a physical record of past experiences.
- that record is consulted when determining future behaviors.
- both the recording of the record and the consulting of the record
are adaptations - abilities honed by natural selection because
they enhance fitness.

By this broad definition, even plants and bacteria have "memories".
Both short term and long term memories.

But a narrower definition might limit "memories" to the kind of long
term animal memories that are believed to be physically recorded as
connections between neurons or as the "strengths" of those connections.
My guess would be that only animals with a CNS could have these kinds
of memories, and that ALL animals with a CNS have these kinds of
memories. But I'm not sure. Let me add my question to yours: In
simple CNS systems like C. elegans, do we have any evidence one way
or the other as to whether neuron connectivity or strength of connection
depends adaptively on experience?


.

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