Embryonic visual learning in the cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis

The ability to learn about chemosensory stimuli in the prenatal period is now well established in a wide variety of vertebrate species. This may help to shape development and behaviour. Evidence for early visual learning has already been shown in newly hatched cuttlefish. We exposed cuttlefish embryos to crabs for at least a week before hatching. This crab exposure induced a subsequent visual preference for crabs in 7-day-old juveniles. The results show for the first time embryonic visual learning in animals. Such cognitive abilities in embryos that can perceive visual stimulation could confer important adaptive advantages in processing and acquiring information about foods likely to be available after hatching.