Visual cues for the retrieval of landmark memories by navigating wood ants.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Even on short routes, ants can be guided by multiple visual memories. We investigate here the cues controlling memory retrieval as wood ants approach a one- or two-edged landmark to collect sucrose at a point along its base. In such tasks, ants store the desired retinal position of landmark edges at several points along their route. They guide subsequent trips by retrieving the appropriate memory and moving to bring the edges in the scene toward the stored positions.

Results

The apparent width of the landmark turns out to be a powerful cue for retrieving the desired retinal position of a landmark edge. Two other potential cues, the landmark's apparent height and the distance that the ant walks, have little effect on memory retrieval. A simple model encapsulates th

SUBMITTER: Harris RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1885948 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature