Heidi Lyn: University of South Alabama

The study of animal communication and cognition has a long history, and one that frequently focuses on the human lineage (looking for homologous traits). In recent years, true comparative cognition has become more frequently reported in the literature. However, these studies can often be flawed, with many researchers failing to account for methodological changes that accompany a change in species. In addition, there is a strong tendency to assume that all differences in evidence between species are biological in nature. I will describe examples of these problematic studies and interpretation with special emphasis on how human environments can change cognitive and communicative capabilities in dolphins, dogs, and apes.