title: Spatial learning and memory in the tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria).
abstract: A single tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria) was trained in an eight-arm radial maze, with the apparatus and general procedures modeled on those used to demonstrate spatial learning in rats. The tortoise learned to perform reliably above chance, preferentially choosing baited arms, rather than returning to arms previously visited on a trial. Test sessions that examined control by olfactory cues revealed that they did not affect performance. No systematic, stereotyped response patterns were evident. In spite of differences in brain structure, the tortoise showed spatial learning abilities comparable to those observed in mammals.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of York, York, United Kingdom. a.wilkinson@psych.york.ac.uk
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Wilkinson
authors: Hui-Minn
authors: HM
authors: Chan
authors: Geoffrey
authors: G
authors: Hall
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology; D013037:Spatial Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D014426:Turtles / Q000502:physiology*