Tactile motor learning in the antennal system of the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) |
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| Authors: | J Erber B Pribbenow K Grandy S Kierzek |
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| Institution: | Institut für ?kologie und Biologie, Technische Universit?t Berlin, Franklinstr. 28/29, D-10587 Berlin, Germany Fax: +49-30 314-73177 e-mail: nevr2134@mailszrz.zrz.tu-berlin.de, DE
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| Abstract: | Honeybees fixed in small tubes scan an object within the range of the antennae by touching it briefly and frequently. In
our experiments the animals were able to scan an object for several minutes with the antennae. After moving the object out
of the range of the antennae, the animals showed antennal movements for several minutes that were correlated with the position
of the removed object. These changes of antennal movements are called “behavioural plasticity” and are interpreted as a form
of motor learning. Bees showed behavioural plasticity only for objects with relatively large surfaces. Plasticity was more
pronounced in bees whose compound eyes were occluded. Behavioural plasticity was related to the duration of object presentation.
Repeated presentations of the object increased the degree of plasticity. After presentation durations of 30 min the animals
showed a significant increase of antennal positions related to the surface of the object and avoidance of areas corresponding
to the edges. Behavioural plasticity was compared with reward-dependent learning by conditioning bees to objects. The results
of motor learning and reward-dependent conditioning suggest that bees have tactile spatial memory.
Accepted: 13 May 1997 |
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| Keywords: | Honeybee Insect brain Antennal system Motor learning Tactile learning |
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