Mice are not little rats: species differences in a one-day water maze task.
The present study examined species differences in spatial and non-spatial memory in the Morris water maze. Male Wistar rats and C57BL/6 mice were tested in a one-day water maze task in which spatial learning, retention, and non-spatial learning were assessed within 3 h. Rats and mice appeared to use different strategies for locating the hidden escape platform. Whereas rats evinced a clear spatial strategy, mice appeared to rely less on spatial cues and more on alternative non-spatial strategies. The sensitivity of this behavioral protocol to subtle species differences highlights the potential use of this one-day water maze task as a tool for evaluating rapidly learning and memory in rodents.
Frick
K M
KM
Department of Biological Sciences, Wellesley College, MA 02481, USA.
Stillner
E T
ET
Berger-Sweeney
J
J
D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013028:Space Perception; D013045:Species Specificity; D013550:Swimming; D013997:Time Factors