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Associative learning in a harvestman (Arachnida, Opiliones)
Gilson Costa dos Santos1, Jerry A Hogan, Rodrigo Hirata Willemart
1Laboratório de Ecologia Sensorial e Comportamento de Artrópodes (LESCA), Escola de Artes Ciências e Humanidades, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua Arlindo Béttio, 1000 - Ermelino Matarazzo, 03828-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Behavioural Processes
|August 13, 2013
Summary
Harvestmen (Opiliones) demonstrated associative learning by associating a chemical cue with a dark shelter. This study shows learning capabilities in arachnids previously unobserved in this order.
Area of Science:
- Ethology
- Arachnology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Associative learning is documented in invertebrates but understudied in arachnids.
- Previous research focused on spiders and whip-spiders, leaving harvestmen (Opiliones) largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate associative learning in the Neotropical harvestman, Discocyrtus invalidus.
- To determine if harvestmen can associate a chemical stimulus with a shelter.
Main Methods:
- An experimental arena was designed with a light source and two floor openings.
- One opening led to a dark shelter, the other was blocked.
- Filter papers with chemical stimuli (mate or green tea) were placed near openings.
- 37 harvestmen were tested daily for 14 days, with behavior recorded.
Main Results:
- Harvestmen showed increased speed in finding the refuge over 14 days.
- Exploratory behavior decreased, and movement towards the open shelter increased.
- These changes indicate a learned association between the chemical cue and the shelter.
Conclusions:
- Discocyrtus invalidus exhibits associative learning capabilities.
- The study successfully demonstrated that harvestmen can associate chemical stimuli with shelter locations.
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