Manta rays can recognise themselves in a mirror

The Mirror Test -- a behavioural test that attempts to work out whether non-human animals possess self-recognition -- has been passed by very few animals.

Only seven species have passed muster -- apes, elephants, dolphins, orcas, magpies, ants and macaques have all managed to pass the test. Now, new research from the University of South Florida at Tampa have added a new species to the list -- manta rays.

In a study published by the Journal of Ethology, the team found that manta rays did nottry to socialise with their own reflections unlike other animals, like cats, who just see their reflections as another animal. And the markings on their backs -- which typically change when they meet a new ray -- stayed the same.

This could, the team says, suggest that the animals have self-awareness and may suggest they have the potential for increased cognitive capacity.

They're far from the only animals who have displayed self awareness, though.

Dolphins

A study at the New York Aquarium found that dolphins not only recognised their own reflection, but enjoyed watching themselves have sex in the mirror. When the dolphins drifted out of view of the mirror whilst having sex, they'd stop and swim back to the mirror again so they could continue to watch themselves.

Octopuses

Though an octopus hasn't yet passed the mirror test, they do show high levels of consciousness. Each octopus tentacle possesses "embodied cognition", meaning their cognition is distributed throughout their bodies. This allows their tentacles to efficiently integrate with other systems as well as act independently.

Bees

Bees, like octopuses, have not passed the mirror test -- but they do get sad. In a study published in Current Biology, a team found that bees subjected to "vigorous shaking" were then made 'sad', as evidenced by a decrease in neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. They also became aggressive far less frequently.

This article was originally published by WIRED UK