There is nothing in the behavior of the nematode worm that indicates the presence of consciousness. It is a simple stimulus-response system without any flexibility in its behavior.
There are numerous papers on learning in C. elegans. Rankin (2004):
Until 1990, no one investigated the possibility that C. elegans might show behavioral plasticity and be able to learn from experience. This has changed dramatically over the last 14 years! Now, instead of asking “what can a worm learn?” it might be better to ask “what cannot a worm learn?” [...]
C. elegans has a remarkable ability to learn about its environment and to alter its behavior as a result of its experience. In every area where people have looked for plasticity they have found it.
Thanks for mentioning C. elegans behavioural flexibility. I had meant to comment about that, but forgot to. That’s a great paper on the subject.
I think people sometimes unfairly minimize the cognitive abilities of some invertebrates because it gives them cleaner and more straightforward answers about which organisms are conscious, according to their preferred theory.
However, there do appear to be very clear behavioral capabilities differences between C. elegans and other invertebrates (e.g., honeybees) as can be seen in our invertebrate sentience table.
Congrats on all these great interviews!
There are numerous papers on learning in C. elegans. Rankin (2004):
Thank you! :)
Thanks for mentioning C. elegans behavioural flexibility. I had meant to comment about that, but forgot to. That’s a great paper on the subject.
I think people sometimes unfairly minimize the cognitive abilities of some invertebrates because it gives them cleaner and more straightforward answers about which organisms are conscious, according to their preferred theory.
However, there do appear to be very clear behavioral capabilities differences between C. elegans and other invertebrates (e.g., honeybees) as can be seen in our invertebrate sentience table.