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Beyond the sea squirt’s brain: cognition as inseparable from sensory-motor action

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 November 2025

Robert Barton Open the ORCID record for Robert Barton [Opens in a new window]  and
Louise Barrett Open the ORCID record for Louise Barrett [Opens in a new window]
Robert Barton
Affiliation:
Evolutionary Anthropology Research Group, Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Dawson Building, South Road, Durham DH1 3RL, UK r.a.barton@durham.ac.uk
Louise Barrett*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K3M4, Canada louise.barrett@uleth.ca
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

Coombs and Trestman offer a cogent and biologically-grounded framework in which cognitive evolution is linked to the evolution of bodies and sensory-motor mechanisms. We are strongly supportive of such an endeavour, but argue that sensory-motor adaptations should rightly be seen as part and parcel of cognition itself and not simply as the foundation for cognitive evolution.

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 48 , 2025 , e81
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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