Orientation in the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis: response versus place learning

Abstract

Several studies have demonstrated that mammals, birds and fish use comparable spatial learning strategies. Unfortunately, except in insects, few studies have investigated spatial learning mechanisms in invertebrates. Our study aimed to identify the strategies used by cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) to solve a spatial task commonly used with vertebrates. A new spatial learning procedure using a T-maze was designed. In this maze, the cuttlefish learned how to enter a dark and sandy compartment. A preliminary test confirmed that individual cuttlefish showed an untrained side-turning preference (preference for turning right or left) in the T-maze. This preference could be reliably detected in a single probe trial. In the following two experiments, each individual was trained to enter the compartment opposite to its side-turning preference. In Experiment 1, distal visual cues were provided around the maze. In Experiment 2, the T-maze was surrounded by curtains and two proximal visual cues were provided above the apparatus. In both experiments, after acquisition, strategies used by cuttlefish to orient in the T-maze were tested by creating a conflict between the formerly rewarded algorithmic behaviour (turn, response learning) and the visual cues identifying the goal (place learning). Most cuttlefish relied on response learning in Experiment 1; the two strategies were used equally often in Experiment 2. In these experiments, the salience of cues provided during the experiment determined whether cuttlefish used response or place learning to solve this spatial task. Our study demonstrates for the first time the presence of multiple spatial strategies in cuttlefish that appear to closely parallel those described in vertebrates.

Impact of a plant-based diet on behavioural and physiological traits in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

“…As Alves et al (2007) previously reported, latency did not appear to be a pertinent indicator in our study, due to the large differences between individuals. Successful individuals also displayed anticipatory behaviour, as most were oriented toward the correct stimulus before the wall was removed.…”

Spatial learning in the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis: preference for vertical over horizontal information

“…They also demonstrate good spatial learning abilities, including exploratory learning and spatial maze solution (Boal and Dunham, 2000;Jozet-Alves et al, 2008;Karson et al, 2003). Cuttlefish, for example, can locate a shelter in a maze by relying both on proprioceptive and exteroceptive cues (such as proximal and distal visual cues, and polarized light e-vectors) (Alves et al, 2007;Cartron et al, 2012). So far, a single study has addressed 3D spatial learning in cephalopods (Crook et al, 2009).…”

Sex differences in spatial cognition in an invertebrate: the cuttlefish

“…Cuttlefish were given five trials per training session, with one training session per day. During the first trial of the first session, both the goal compartments were closed to determine each cuttlefish's side-turning preference (see Alves et al 2007b). During the remaining trials, only the goal compartment situated at the end of the arm not chosen during the first trial was open.…”

“…Second, spatial learning performances were assessed in a T-maze and the spatial strategy preferentially used by each cuttlefish was determined to evaluate whether males and females use different spatial orientation strategies. Alves et al (2007b) showed that cuttlefish are able to solve a T-maze task using two kinds of strategy they either learn a motor response (right versus left turn) or orient using visual cues. In this study, potential sex differences were not assessed.…”