Relevance of intra and extra-maze visual cues for spatial orientation in the toad Rhinella arenarum

MUZIO, R. N. & DANERI, M. F.

Jaén

Congreso; 2nd Joint Meeting SEPC-ISCP. XXIV International Congress of the Spanish Society for Comparative Psychology and XVI Biennial Meeting of the International Society for Comparative Psychology; 2012

Spanish Society for Comparative Psychology (SEPC) and International Society for Comparative Psychology (ISCP)

The use of environmental visual cues for spatial orientation is an important ability. Mammals orientate in space using multiple environmental cues of the surrounding world and setting spatial relationships between them. Amphibians also have the capacity of spatial orientation, but it is still unknown processes involved. Previous studies in our lab showed that toads use intra and extra-maze visual cues to orientate. This work attempts to establish the relative significance they have in a orientation task. We trained toads (Rhinella arenarum) in a find-water orientation procedure using a transparent open field (to provide access to the context -extra maze- visual cues of the training room) with visual cues placed in the wall ?intra maze. After acquisition it was tested the relevance of each type of visual cue: (i) separately, by hiding the extra maze cues with an opaque curtain, or by removing the intra maze cues; (ii) simultaneously, by setting them in conflict -rotation of intra maze cues. Tests revealed that toads use both types of visual cues to find the reinforcer inside the open field, but extra maze cues are more relevant to reach the spatial goal. Results are discussed in an evolutionary frame.