Abstract: | Interralations among taste perceptions in gloden hamsters (Mesocricetusauratus) were examined using generalizaions of learned tasteaversions. If stimulus A is avoided given a taste aversion hasbeen established to stimulus B, and vice versa, A and B cross-generalize.Stimuli within five groups cross-generalized. The groups ofcompounds were (i) sweeteners (fructose, saccharin, sucrose);(ii) sodium salts (NaCl, NaNO3, Na2SO4): (iii) non-sodium salts(KCl, MgSO4 NH4Cl) plus quinine HCl; (iv) acids (acetic, hydrochloric,citric); and (v) urea. Only two pairs of stimuli from differentgroups cross-generalized (HClNH4Cl. quinine HClurea).Neural patterns of response recorded form chorda tympam nervefibers in hamsters suggest that taste receptors on the anteriortongue distinguish among three groups of taste stimuli: sweeteners,sodium salts, and a group including non-sodium salts, acids,quinine HCl and urea. Neurons innervating other taste fieldsare likely to provide the information that hamsters use to discriminateamong the tastes of non-sodium-salt and non-sweetener stimuli. |