Dataset Information

Ratio abstraction over discrete magnitudes by newly hatched domestic chicks (Gallus gallus).

ABSTRACT: A large body of literature shows that non-human animals master a variety of numerical tasks, but studies involving proportional discrimination are sparse and primarily done with mature animals. Here we trained 4-day-old domestic chicks (Gallus gallus) to respond to stimuli depicting multiple examples of the proportion 4:1 when compared with the proportion 2:1. Stimuli were composed of green and red dot arrays; for the rewarded 4:1 proportion, 4 green dots for every red dot (e.g. ratios: 32:8, 12:3, and 44:11). The birds continued to discriminate when presented with new ratios at test (such as 20:5), characterized by new numbers of dots and new spatial configurations (Experiment 1). This indicates that chicks can extract the common proportional value shared by different ratios and apply it to new ones. In Experiment 2, chicks identified a specific proportion (2:1) from either a smaller (4:1) or a larger one (1:1), demonstrating an ability to represent the specific, and not relative, value of a particular proportion. Again, at test, chicks selectively responded to the previously reinforced proportion from new ratios. These findings provide strong evidence for very young animals' ability to extract, identify, and productively use proportion information across a range of different amounts.

SUBMITTER: Rugani R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4964567 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Ratio abstraction over discrete magnitudes by newly hatched domestic chicks (Gallus gallus).

Rugani Rosa R McCrink Koleen K de Hevia Maria-Dolores MD Vallortigara Giorgio G Regolin Lucia L

Scientific reports 20160728

A large body of literature shows that non-human animals master a variety of numerical tasks, but studies involving proportional discrimination are sparse and primarily done with mature animals. Here we trained 4-day-old domestic chicks (Gallus gallus) to respond to stimuli depicting multiple examples of the proportion 4:1 when compared with the proportion 2:1. Stimuli were composed of green and red dot arrays; for the rewarded 4:1 proportion, 4 green dots for every red dot (e.g. ratios: 32:8, 12 ...[more]

PMID: 27465742

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Project description:In filial imprinting, newly hatched chicks repeatedly approach a conspicuous object nearby and memorize it, even though it is an artificial object instead of their mother hen. Imprinting on an artificial object in a laboratory setting has a clear sensitive period from post hatch days 1-3 in the case of domestic chicks. However, the establishment of imprintability are difficult to investigate because of the limitations of the behavioral apparatus. In this study, we developed a novel behavioral apparatus, based on a running disc, to investigate the learning processes of imprinting in newly hatched domestic chicks. In the apparatus, the chick repeatedly approaches the imprinting object on the disc. The apparatus sends a transistor-transistor-logic signal every 1/10 turn of the disc to a personal computer through a data acquisition system following the chick's approach to the imprinting object on the monitor. The imprinting training and tests were designed to define the three learning processes in imprinting. The first process is the one in which chicks spontaneously approach the moving object. The second is an acquired process in which chicks approach an object even when it is static. In the third process, chicks discriminate between the differently colored imprinting object and the control object in the preference test. Using the apparatus, the difference in the chicks' behavior during or after the sensitive period was examined. During the sensitive period, the chicks at post hatch hour 12 and 18 developed the first imprinting training process. The chicks at post hatch hour 24 maintained learning until the second process. The chicks at post hatch hour 30 reached the discrimination process in the test. After the sensitive period, the chicks reared in darkness until post hatch day 4 exhibited poor first learning process in the training. Thus, this apparatus will be useful for the detection of behavioral changes during neuronal development and learning processes.

Dataset Information

Ratio abstraction over discrete magnitudes by newly hatched domestic chicks (Gallus gallus).

Publications

Ratio abstraction over discrete magnitudes by newly hatched domestic chicks (Gallus gallus).

Similar Datasets

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