アカハライモリにおける同時視覚弁別学 習に関する動機づけ操作の検討

抄録

Four experiments examined the motivational manipulation for simultaneous visual discrimination learning in Japanese fire-bellied newts (Cynops pyrrhogaster). A total of ten female newts was trained in a simultaneous visual bright and dark discrimination task using a dry T-maze. Submersion in water was used as reinforcement for a correct response. Experiment 1 showed that the procedure used in a preceding study with red-spotted newts is not effective to train Japanese fire-bellied newts. Experiment 2 showed that the procedure to dehydrate newt’s skin is effective to facilitate instrumental responding of newts, and that prolonged water loss from skin threatens the health of newts. Experiments 3 and 4 suggested that the motivational level for water reinforcement could be controlled by varying the temporal length allowed for access to water during the inter-trial intervals. These results suggest that appropriate water deprivation is important to train Japanese fire-bellied newts in a discrimination task with water reinforcement.