Memory inception and preservation in slime moulds: the quest for a common mechanism.

摘要: Learning and memory are indisputably key features of animal success. Using information about past experiences is critical for optimal decision-making in a fluctuating environment. Those abilities usually believed to be limited organisms with nervous system, precluding their existence non-neural organisms. However, recent studies showed that the slime mould Physarum polycephalum, despite being unicellular, displays habituation, simple form learning. In this paper, we studied possible substrate both short- long-term habituation moulds. We habituated moulds sodium, known repellent, using 6 day training turned them into dormant state named sclerotia. were then revived tested habituation. acquired during was preserved through stage as still after one-month dormancy period. Chemical analyses indicated continuous uptake sodium process retained throughout stage. Lastly, inception via constrained absorption 2 h elicited Our results suggest absorbed repellent used it 'circulating memory'. This article part theme issue 'Liquid brains, solid brains: How distributed cognitive architectures information'.