Advertisement

Journal of comparative physiology

, Volume 126, Issue 2, pp 105–114 | Cite as

Configurational prey-selection by individual experience in the toadBufo bufo

  • J. -P. Ewert
  • W. Kehl
Article

Summary

The habituation method was used to investigate the toad's ability to discriminate between two dimensional prey dummies of different shapes and patterns: If immediately following habituation of the prey-catching orienting behavior to a dummy form “A”, prey-catching responses are elicited when another form “B” is presented, it can be concluded that the toad is able to discriminate between the two patterns. The results show that toads are able to discern detailed structures within the outline limits of a 5 mm× 20 mm worm-like shape, on the basis of individual experience (stimulus specific habituation). In particular the results demonstrate that triangular stimulus patterns moved with a horizontal acute angle leading increase the releasing value of prey features whereas separate additional dots moved simultaneously may reduce the prey features of an optimal prey dummy. Dots, stripes and acute angles obviously have a significant effect in theexperience governed pattern discrimination of prey for toadsBufo bufo.

Keywords

Individual Experience Detailed Structure Acute Angle Stimulus Pattern Pattern Discrimination 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Birukow, G., Meng, M.: Eine neue Methode zur Prüfung des Gesichtssinnes bei Amphibien. Naturwissenschaften42, 652–653 (1955)Google Scholar
  2. Buytendijk, F.J.: Wege zum Verständnis der Tiere. Zürich 1941Google Scholar
  3. Eibl-Eibesfeldt, I.: Nahrungserwerb und Beuteschema der Erdkröte (Bufo bufo L.). Behaviour4, 1–35 (1951)Google Scholar
  4. Eikmanns, K.-H.: Verhaltensphysiologische Untersuchungen über den Beutefang und das Bewegungssehen der Erdkröte (Bufo bufo L.). Z. Tierpsychol.12, 229–253 (1955)Google Scholar
  5. Ewert, J.-P.: Der Einfluhß von Störreizen auf die Antwortbereit-schaft bei der Richtbewegung der Erdkröte (Bufo bufo L.). Z. Tierpsychol.24, 208–312 (1967)Google Scholar
  6. Ewert, J.-P.: Der Einfluß von Zwischenhirndefekten auf die Visuo-motorik im Beute- und Fluchtverhalten der Erdkröte (Bufo bufo L.). Z. vergl. Physiol.61, 41–70 (1968)Google Scholar
  7. Ewert, J.-P.: Single unit response of the toad (Bufo americanus) caudal thalamus to visual objects. Z. vergl. Physiol.74, 81–102 (1971)Google Scholar
  8. Ewert, J.-P.: The visual system of the toad: Behavioral and physiological studies on a pattern recognition system. In: The amphibian visual system (ed. K.V. Fite). New York, San Francisco, London: Academic Press 1976Google Scholar
  9. Ewert, J.-P.: Sensorische Erkennungssysteme. In: Die Psychologie des 20. Jahrhunderts, Bd. 8: Lorenz und die Folgen (Hrsg. R.A. Stamm, H. Zeier). Zürich: Kindler 1978Google Scholar
  10. Ewert, J.-P., Ingle, D.: Excitatory effects following habituation of prey-catching activity in frogs and toads. J. comp. Physiol. Psychol.3, 369–374 (1971)Google Scholar
  11. Freisling, J.: Studien zur Biologie und Physiologie der Wechselkröte (Bufo viridis Laur.). Österr. Zool. Zeitschrift Wien1, 383–440 (1948)Google Scholar
  12. Grüsser, O.-J., Grüsser-Cornehls, U.: Neurophysiology of the anuran visual system. In: Frog neurobiology (eds. R. Llinás, W. Precht). Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1976Google Scholar
  13. Ingle, D.: Disinhibition of tectal neurons by pretectal lesions in the frog. Science180, 422–424 (1973)Google Scholar
  14. Ingle, D.: The frogs visual system as a model for studies in selective adaptation. In: Model systems in biological psychiatry (eds. D. Ingle, H. Shein). Cambridge Massachusetts: MIT Press 1975Google Scholar
  15. Lettvin, J.Y., Maturana, H.R., Pitts, W.H., McCulloch, W.S.: Two remarks on the visual system of the frog. In: Sensory communication (ed. W.A. Rosenblith). Cambridge Massachusetts: MIT Press 1961Google Scholar
  16. Meng, M.: Untersuchungen zum Farben- und Formensehen der Erdkröte (Bufobufo L.). Zool. Beitr.3, 313–363 (1958)Google Scholar
  17. Schleidt, W.: Die historische Entwicklung der Begriffe „Angeborenes auslösendes Schema“ und „Angeborener Auslösemechanismus“ in der Ethologie. Z. Tierpsychol.19, 697–722 (1962)Google Scholar
  18. Trachtenberg, M.C., Ingle, D.: Thalamo-tectal projections in the frog. Brain Res.79, 419–430 (1974)Google Scholar
  19. Wilczynski, W., Northcutt, R.G.: Afferents to the optic tectum of the Leopard Frog: An HRP study. J. comp. Neurol.173, 219–229 (1977)Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1978

Authors and Affiliations

  • J. -P. Ewert
    • 1
  • W. Kehl
    • 1
  1. 1.Neuro-ethology and Biocybernetic LaboratoriesUniversity of KasselKasselGermany

Personalised recommendations

Cite article

Buy options