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Neural Processing of Magnetic Intensity Cues by Lesioned Homing Pigeons (Columba livia) in a Magnetic Conditioning Paradigm

Acerbi, Merissa Lynne
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8945-0160
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu14913435853746

Abstract Details

2017, Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, Psychology/Experimental.
The ability to orient in an environment has been shown for centuries to be an important behavior in reproduction and survival. Many scientists agree the avian hippocampal formation (HF) is a brain structure involved in learning and memory tasks. Specifically, one type of learning and memory task, known as true navigation, defined as an animal’s ability to return home even when navigating in a novel environment. Previous research has shown one way birds are able to successfully complete true navigation is via the earth’s magnetic field. The question of what information is gathered with this geomagnetic sensitivity and where in the brain it is stored has remained unanswered. Currently, scientists theorize there are a number of avian species to use information about magnetic inclination via transduction by way of the Wulst area of the forebrain. However, few scientists have explored the role of magnetic intensity and what brain area(s) may be involved in order to successfully navigate. The current study illustrates the role of the HF as well as the Wulst during a novel magnetic conditioning paradigm where homing pigeons (Columba livia) experienced two different currents in magnetic intensity. Pigeons (N = 8) were trained, tested preoperatively and underwent one of two previously assigned experimental lesion surgeries (an electrolytic HF lesion, N = 4 or an aspirated Wulst lesion, N = 4). Postoperative data indicates the HF-lesioned pigeons were no longer able to discriminate magnetic intensity while the Wulst-lesioned pigeons continued performing significantly above chance level. Additionally, the Wulst lesions were substantially larger in size versus the HF lesions, suggesting most of the Wulst is not necessary when gathering information about magnetic intensity. The results draw attention to a divide in magnetic inclination versus magnetic intensity, and the possible difference in underlying neural mechanisms involved.
Verner Bingman (Advisor)
Anne Gordon (Committee Member)
William O'Brien (Committee Member)
57 p.
Animal Sciences; Animals; Behavioral Psychology; Behavioral Sciences; Biology; Experimental Psychology; Geophysics; Histology; Neurosciences; Psychobiology; Zoology
Avian, brain, cluster-N, compass, field, hippocampus, histology, homing, inclination, intensity, lesion, magnetic, map, navigation, pigeon, Wulst

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Acerbi, M. L. (2017). Neural Processing of Magnetic Intensity Cues by Lesioned Homing Pigeons (Columba livia) in a Magnetic Conditioning Paradigm [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu14913435853746

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Acerbi, Merissa. Neural Processing of Magnetic Intensity Cues by Lesioned Homing Pigeons (Columba livia) in a Magnetic Conditioning Paradigm. 2017. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu14913435853746.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Acerbi, Merissa. "Neural Processing of Magnetic Intensity Cues by Lesioned Homing Pigeons (Columba livia) in a Magnetic Conditioning Paradigm." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu14913435853746

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu14913435853746
465
© 2017, some rights reserved.Creative Commons License Neural Processing of Magnetic Intensity Cues by Lesioned Homing Pigeons (Columba livia) in a Magnetic Conditioning Paradigm by Merissa Lynne Acerbi is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at etd.ohiolink.edu.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.