Behavioural Lateralization Essay

While comparing differences between behavioural lateralization between larvae and adults, it was expected that results from studies with larvae as test subjects would show variation in results. The variation in result was expected because larval stage of zebrafish develops really fast both morphologically and anatomically (Budaev & Andrew, 2009). However, the synthesis of behavioural lateralization in zebrafish literature states otherwise. The presence of inconsistency in results of adults can be explained by other factors such as experiences gathered by adult zebrafish were different in each test (housing conditions and labs). Whereas, larvae used in test were bred and reared in laboratory conditions; therefore, it is plausible that this factor affected the learning development of larvae and provided …show more content…
Gaps in current studies and future studies suggestions
There is a great deal of noise in present literature on behavioural lateralization in zebrafish this is mainly caused by procedural inaccuracies and poorly understood biological nature of zebrafish.
First procedural inaccuracy is “mirror test” two studies mentioned above use the same test but for different viewing reflection as two different stimuli. In the study conducted Sovarano and Andrew in 2006 view reflection’s action novel and observing behavioural lateralization in response to novelty. Whereas the study conducted by Ariyomo and Watt in 2013 view reflection as another conspecific and observed behavioural lateralization in response to aggression. Both novelty and aggression induce negative cognitive bias, so right hemisphere hypothesis still stand; however, true nature of mirror stimulus must be established for more accurate results. Furthermore, possibility of self-awareness in zebrafish has not been considered