No evidence for cognitive mapping in rats

Article Abstract:

There is a lack of evidence for cognitive mapping abilities in rats (Rattus norvegicus) as evident by their failure to resolve a navigational task despite having opportunities to develop a cognitive map during training. The rats fail to remember the landmarks and navigate toward a hidden goal randomly when unfamiliar orientations, with no common landmarks between the current and memorized panorama, are used. The use of cognitive mapping is present but relatively inefficient in unfamiliar orientations which share some landmarks with the map memorized during the training phase.

Perceptual orientation, Orientation (Psychology), Rattus norvegicus, Norway rat, Geographical perception

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Path integration by swimming rats

Article Abstract:

Rats can learn their starting points in relation to their current positions by using route-based information. This is true for rats that are swimming, as is shown by a water maze experiment. Rats were able to learn the task after some days. A relatively large random error is evident which is not related to how long the outward path is. Random errors like these mean that rats and other mammals that swim and walk may not be able to use path integration over long journeys.

Rats, Spatial behavior in animals, Animal spatial behavior, Animal navigation

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FAD: Fish aggregating device or fish attracting device? A new analysis of yellowfin tuna movements around floating objects

Article Abstract:

An analysis of the movements of 14 yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares, around the fish aggregating devices (FADs), to determine whether the movements are a result of an aggregation or attraction process. Results show that FADs act as fish attracting devices or fish aggregating devices, depending on the space use pattern.

Physiological aspects, Environmental aspects, Tuna fishing, Yellowfin tuna

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