Wavelength Categorization by Goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Abstract

Goldfish pressed a paddle for intermittent food reinforcement in the presence of one of seven different monochromatic wavelengths. Wavelengths in 20 nm steps from 430 to 690 nm, matched for "brightness," were then presented for 20 days during which food maintained responding to the training stimulus. Generalization gradients calculated from the final four days were asymmetric. A long wavelength gradient showed maintained responding above 630 nm; at short wavelengths responding generalized below 490 nm; four middle wavelength gradients could indicate two groupings having maximum responses at around 510 and 570 nm.The physiology of the goldfish visual system has been extensively described (Wheeler, 1982). The three cone pigments are maximally sensitive to wavelengths of 455, 530, and 625 nm (Marks, 1965; Harosi and MacNichol, 1974). In the subsequent stages of retinal processing there are cells which respond in an opponent fashion. Some horizontal cells hyperpolarize and depolarize to different wavelengths (MacNichol and Svaetichin, 1958;Tomita, 1965); many bipolar and amacrine cells are color-coded (Kaneko, 1973); there are ganglion cells with double-opponent receptive fields (Daw, 1968; Spekreijse, Wagner, and Wolbarst, 1972;Beauchamp and Lovasik, 1973; Mackintosh, Bilotta, and Abramov, 1987); and single cells in the optic tectum of the goldfish respond in an opponent manner (Jacobson, 1964). In addition to these physiological descriptions, what is needed is an understanding of how this information is integrated and used by the fish. This paper examines how the various wavelengths are grouped together by the goldfish. This issue has been explored in nonhuman animals in two ways: matching-to-sample and generalization gradients. Wright and Gumming (1971) described "color-naming" gradients for pigeons using a matching-to-sample technique.

How do babies come to know what babies know?

“…Beyond speech, 2-month-old infants categorically perceive some non-speech sounds (Jusczyk, Rosner, Cutting, Foard, & Smith, 1977), 7-month-old infants display categorical perception of facial expressions of emotion (Kotsoni, de Haan, & Johnson, 2001), and 4-month-olds categorically perceive color (Franklin et al, 2008). Categorical perception of color has also been shown in goldfish (Goldman, Lanson, & Brown, 1990) and zebra finches (Zipple et al, 2019).…”

Précis ofWhat Babies Know

“…Beyond speech, 2-month-old infants categorically perceive some non-speech sounds (Jusczyk, Rosner, Cutting, Foard, & Smith, 1977), 7-month-old infants display categorical perception of facial expressions of emotion (Kotsoni, de Haan, & Johnson, 2001), and 4-month-olds categorically perceive color (Franklin et al, 2008). Categorical perception of color has also been shown in goldfish (Goldman, Lanson, & Brown, 1990) and zebra finches (Zipple et al, 2019).…”