The architecture of the invisible: the neurocognitive evolution of object permanence

Object permanence is an integral part of how we make sense of the physical world. It is associated with the neocortex in humans and other primates. However, we have recently found that reptiles also possess object permanence despite lacking a neocortex.

In collaboration with my host institution, I will examine the evolutionary origin of object permanence by comparing behavioural and neuroanatomical data from fish, amphibians and reptiles.

I aim to 1) pinpoint the emergence of object permanence and its neurological underpinnings in vertebrates 2) investigate the origin of cognitive maps in vertebrates and the visual areas associated with this ability, and 3) discover the extent of object permanence in reptiles by examining their ability encode object identity and trace moving objects behind barriers.

As this work combines evolutionary neurobiology with cognitive zoology, I will benefit greatly from my 16 months of planned stay with the team led by Dr. Pavel Němec.

This research exchange will equip me with detailed knowledge on neurobiology, and the associated statistical skills needed for analysing the data.

The project will provide new evidence on the origin and evolution of object permanence in vertebrates and will attempt resolve the conflict between current knowledge on behaviour and brains by identifying the brain regions that first enabled this crucial skill in vertebrates.