Spatial learning of an escape task by young corn snakes,Elaphe guttata guttata

Holtzman, David A.; Harris, Terrence W.; Aranguren, Guillermo; Bostock, Elizabeth

doi:10.1006/anbe.1998.0971

Cited by 65 publications

(53 citation statements)

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“…location of predators in their surroundings or obstacles to refuges). Although the available evidence shows that snakes and lizards are capable of learning the spatial location of food items or shelters in the laboratory [4,[7][8][9][10][11], some studies seem to suggest that they have limited spatial cognitive abilities and require many training trials to learn simple spatial tasks [4]. Here, we used an ecologically relevant anti-predator context to study whether lizards show evidence of flexible spatial learning using two replicate groups of lizards maintained in large semi-natural outdoor enclosures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Learning outdoors: male lizards show flexible spatial learning under semi-natural conditions

2012

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Spatial cognition is predicted to be a fundamental component of fitness in many lizard species, and yet some studies suggest that it is relatively slow and inflexible. However, such claims are based on work conducted using experimental designs or in artificial contexts that may underestimate their cognitive abilities. We used a biologically realistic experimental procedure (using simulated predatory attacks) to study spatial learning and its flexibility in the lizard Eulamprus quoyii in semi-natural outdoor enclosures under similar conditions to those experienced by lizards in the wild. To evaluate the flexibility of spatial learning, we conducted a reversal spatial-learning task in which positive and negative reinforcements of learnt spatial stimuli were switched. Nineteen (32%) male lizards learnt both tasks within 10 days (spatial task mean: 8.16 + + + + + 0.69 (s.e.) and reversal spatial task mean: 10.74 + + + + + 0.98 (s.e.) trials). We demonstrate that E. quoyii are capable of flexible spatial learning and suggest that future studies focus on a range of lizard species which differ in phylogeny and/or ecology, using biologically relevant cognitive tasks, in an effort to bridge the cognitive divide between ectoand endotherms.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Learning outdoors: male lizards show flexible spatial learning under semi-natural conditions

2012

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“…Although previous studies have determined that lizards can use sun compass cues for orienting [5], it is unclear whether they can use visual cues as well. Two studies have claimed demonstration of spatial memory using visual cues in snakes [6,7]; however, the methodology of those studies has been criticized [2,3]. Specifically, these studies used only one distal intramaze cue, and snakes were oriented towards that cue during the trials; thus, snakes could have been using egocentric encoding of the cue rather than true spatial memory.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial memory: are lizards really deficient?

et al. 2012

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In many animals, behaviours such as territoriality, mate guarding, navigation and food acquisition rely heavily on spatial memory abilities; this has been demonstrated in diverse taxa, from invertebrates to mammals. However, spatial memory ability in squamate reptiles has been seen as possible, at best, or non-existent, at worst. Of the few previous studies testing for spatial memory in squamates, some have found no evidence of spatial memory while two studies have found evidence of spatial memory in snakes, but have been criticized based on methodological issues. We used the Barnes maze, a common paradigm to test spatial memory abilities in mammals, to test for spatial memory abilities in the side-blotched lizard ( Uta stansburiana ). We found the existence of spatial memory in this species using this spatial task. Thus, our study supports the existence of spatial memory in this squamate reptile species and seeks to parsimoniously align this species with the diverse taxa that demonstrate spatial memory ability.

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“…Neuropsychological and lesion studies show that damage to the hippocampus and associated structures causes selective deficits in the capacity for place learning and memory, but not when reaching the goal can be solved by alternative strategies such as approaching a single landmark (cue learning) or by non-spatial discriminations [8] [10] [13]- [18]. A number of recent thorough behavioral studies provide strong evidence indicating that also reptiles, in particular turtles, lizards and snakes, display sophisticated spatial behavior based on map-like, allocentric or relational spatial representations of the environment [19]- [26], and that these cognitive capabilities depend on the medial cortex, the reptilian pallial region considered homologous to the avian and mammalian hippocampal formation on the basis of embryological, anatomical and neurophysiological evidence [27]- [32].…”

Section: Medial Pallium or Hippocampus And Map-like Memories In Amniotesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hippocampal Pallium and Map-Like Memories through Vertebrate Evolution

Broglio¹,

Martín-Monzón²,

Ocaña³

et al. 2015

JBBS

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The hippocampus in humans and other mammals is essential for episodic and relational memories. Comparative evidence indicates that a hippocampal pallium homologue is present in birds, reptiles, amphibians, ray-finned fishes, cartilaginous fishes and agnathans. Some of their characteristics, such as the topological position and the pattern of connectivity, appear remarkably well conserved. We review here substantial data showing that in all the vertebrate groups studied up to date, from fish to mammals, the hippocampus plays a fundamental role in spatial memory. In these vertebrates groups, the hippocampal pallium homologue is involved in the use of map-like, relational representations of the objective space that provide stable allocentric frames of reference, thus allowing flexible navigation. These similarities suggest a common evolutionary ancestry and indicate that the functional properties of the hippocampus appear early in the vertebrate phylogenesis and are retained through the independent evolution of the vertebrate lineages.

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Spatial learning of an escape task by young corn snakes,Elaphe guttata guttata

Cited by 65 publications

References 0 publications

Learning outdoors: male lizards show flexible spatial learning under semi-natural conditions

Learning outdoors: male lizards show flexible spatial learning under semi-natural conditions

Spatial memory: are lizards really deficient?

Hippocampal Pallium and Map-Like Memories through Vertebrate Evolution

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