Temporal differentiation in two strains of small rodents: a wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) and an albino mouse (Mus musculus OF1).
Wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) and OF1 albino mice (Mus musculus) were compared over durations ranging from 0.5 to 7 s, using the differential reinforcement of response duration schedule (DRRD) and a 'platform' response, i.e. staying on a small platform for a specified criterion duration to be reinforced. Species-related differences were found for mean response durations, efficiency and the number of trials needed to reach a preset performance criterion. Coefficients of variation of response durations did not differ. Overall, OF1 mice needed more trials than wood mice to reach a temporal criterion. However, over 3-7 s, data from both strains almost fitted the behavioral assumptions of Scalar Timing theory. Performance of mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) trained in a similar setting was shown for visual comparison.
Lejeune
H
H
Psychobiology Temp/Process Unit, Faculty of Psychology, University of Liège, 5 Boulevard du Rectorat B32, Sart-Tilman B-4000, Liège, Belgium
Huynen
M C.
MC
Ferrara
A
A