Local vectors in desert ants: context-dependent landmark learning during outbound and homebound runs.
Desert ants, Cataglyphis fortis, associate nestward-directed vector memories (local vectors) with the sight of landmarks along a familiar route. This view-based navigational strategy works in parallel to the self-centred path integration system. In the present study we ask at what temporal stage during a foraging journey does the ant acquire nestward-directed local vector information from feeder-associated landmarks: during its outbound run to a feeding site or during its homebound run to the nest. Tests performed after two reversed-image training paradigms revealed that the ants associated such vectors exclusively with landmarks present during their homebound runs.
Bisch-Knaden
S
S
Department of Zoology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland.
Wehner
R
R
D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants / Q000502:physiology*; D003463:Cues; D006702:Homing Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology