Cognition is a form of adaptation to the environment. It has been invented by organisms with well-developed neural systems. Consequently, like other adaptive characteristics, cognition is, on one hand, supposedly continuous among species; on the other, it is diverse and depends upon the two constraints-phylogenetic constraints, which restrain the body structure of the organism, and ecological constraints, which correlate with the lifestyle of the organism. This book highlights the diverse aspects of cognition among a wide variety of organisms. Seventeen leading researchers in the field from seven countries illustrate the diverse aspects of cognition among various organisms ranging from insects to humans of different ages and pathological states. This volume will inspire scientists and students who strive to understand cognition and, in particular, those who aim at doing so from genetic and adaptive perspectives.

About Editors and Authors

FUJITA Kazuo

FUJITA Kazuo is a specialist in zoology and cognitive science, currently Professor in the Graduate School of Letters, Kyoto University. He was born in Osaka Prefecture and graduated from the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kyoto University, in 1976. He completed the doctoral program at the Graduate School of Science in 1982 and received a PhD in Science. His areas of research include comparative cognitive science and comparative research on the functioning of the mind in primates, rodents and birds.

ITAKURA Shoji

ITAKURA Shoji is Professor at Doshisha University and Director of the Doshisha University Center for Baby Science. He obtained a PhD in Science from Kyoto University in 1989, and specializes in developmental science, evolutionary developmental psychology and developmental cybernetics. He retired from Kyoto University in 2019 before taking up his current position.