Remembering landmarks
Article Abstract:
R. Biegler and R.G.M. Morris use flawed logic in their identification of 'if it moves, don't use it' as a fundamental rule for how animals select landmarks for orientation. The controls on their experiment were inadequate, as most rats in the varied-landmarks group had less practice finding the goal from each starting viewpoint. Studies of insects, birds and rodents show that animals do learn and remember a goal's location using unstable landmarks. The rebuttal view is that these criticisms do not disprove the basic findings about animals' preference for fixed landmarks.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1993
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Extoparasite infestation and sex-biased local recruitment of hosts
Article Abstract:
The hypotheses for sex-based dispersal proposes that with male resource defence like the great tit, males benefit more from their familiarity with local resources by staying in their natal area. A study of male-biased recruitment and interaction between flea treatment and brood size, suggests that the benefits of staying in the natal area may be higher for males in large, flea-infested broods.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
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Ultraviolet reflectance by the skin of nestlings
Article Abstract:
The function of skin reflectance in starlings were studied by applying ultraviolet-light blockers on the nestlings bodies and flanges and measuring their body mass gain after two hours. It is suggested that ultraviolet reflectance from starling nestlings and its contrast with surrounding surfaces are important for parental decisions about food allocation.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2004
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