The effect of brumation on memory retention.

摘要: Long-term torpor is an adaptive strategy that allows animals to survive harsh winter conditions. However, the impact prolonged has on cognitive function poorly understood. Hibernation causes reduced synaptic activity and experiments with mammals reveal this can have adverse effects memories formed prior hibernation. The of brumation, dormancy observed in ectotherms, memory remains unknown. aim study was examine whether amphibian, fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra), able retain learned spatial information after a period brumation. Twelve salamanders were trained make simple discrimination using T-maze. All subjects initial task. Upon reaching criterion, half placed into brumation for 100 days while other served as controls maintained under normal A post-brumation retention test revealed from both conditions retained response. Control tests showed they solved task not olfactory cues. This finding contrasts much mammalian research suggests processes involved may fundamentally different amphibians.