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Author  |
Ferkin, M.H.; Pierce, A.A.; Sealand, R.O.; Delbarco-Trillo, J. |
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Title |
Meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, can distinguish more over-marks from fewer over-marks |
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Journal Article |
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Year |
2005 |
Publication |
Animal Cognition |
Abbreviated Journal |
Anim. Cogn. |
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Volume |
8 |
Issue |
3 |
Pages |
182-189 |
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Keywords |
Animals; Arvicolinae/*psychology; *Discrimination Learning; Female; Intermediate Filament Proteins; Male; Mathematics; Sex Factors; *Smell |
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Abstract |
Is it possible that voles have a sense of number? To address this question, we determined whether voles discriminate between two different scent-marking individuals and identify the individual whose scent marks was on top more often than the other individual. We tested whether voles show a preference for the individual whose scent marks was on top most often. If so, the simplest explanation was that voles can make a relative size judgement-such as distinguishing an area containing more of one individual's over-marks as compared to less of another individual's over-marks. We found that voles respond preferentially to the donor that provided a greater number of over-marks as compared to the donor that provided a lesser number of over-marks. Thus, we concluded that voles might display the capacity for relative numerousness. Interestingly, female voles were better able than male voles to distinguish between small differences in the relative number of over-marks by the two scent donors. |
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Address |
Department of Biology, The University of Memphis, Ellington Hall, Memphis, TN 38152, USA. mhferkin@memphis.edu |
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Language |
English |
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ISSN |
1435-9448 |
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Notes |
PMID:15580367 |
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no |
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Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2501 |
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