Associative memory or algorithmic search: a comparative study on learning strategies of bats and shrews.

摘要: Two common strategies for successful foraging are learning to associate specific sensory cues with patches of prey (“associative learning”) and using set decision-making rules systematically scan (“algorithmic search”). We investigated whether an animal’s life history affects which these two it is likely use. Natterer’s bats (Myotis nattereri) have slow life-history traits we predicted they would be more use associative learning. Common shrews (Sorex araneus) fast that rely heavily on routine-based search. Apart from their marked differences in traits, mammals similar body size, brain weight, habitat, diet. assessed strategy, ability, retention time a four-arm maze; one arm contained food reward was four stimuli. Bats differed significantly strategies. Most learned the stimuli remembered this association over time. searched maze consistent rules, but did not learn or remember association. discuss results terms other key between species. Our suggest link strategy its