Is visual lateralization in pigeons sex-dependent?
Adult homing pigeons (Columba livia) of both sexes were trained binocularly on a successive pattern discrimination task. After reaching criterion they performed the task on alternate sessions under monocular left or right viewing conditions. Regardless of their gender, all animals reached higher pecking scores when sight was restricted to the right eye. Due probably to a ceiling effect, the discrimination-accuracy scores did not differ between left and right condition. Thus, at least with respect to the number of responses emitted, a sex dependency of visual lateralization could not be demonstrated. The results are discussed in the light of studies which demonstrate that male and female pigeons have similar anatomical asymmetries of their optic tecta.
Güntürkün
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Allgemeine Psychologie, Universität Konstanz, F.R.G.
Kischkel
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KF
D000818:Animals; D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D010856:Columbidae / Q000502:physiology*; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000502:physiology; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012733:Sex Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000502:physiology*; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*