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Spatial cognition and perseveration by horses, donkeys and mules in a simple A not B detour task.

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 16:38 authored by Britta Osthaus, Leanne Proops, Ian Hocking, Faith Burden
We investigated perseveration and detour behaviour in 36 equids (Equus caballus, E. asinus, E. caballus × E. asinus) and compared these data to those of a previous study on domestic dogs (Canis familiaris). The animals were required to make a detour through a gap at one end of a straight barrier in order to reach a visible target. After one, two, three or four repeats (A trials), the gap was moved to the opposite end of the barrier (B trials). We recorded initial deviations from the correct solution path and the latency to crossing the barrier. In the A trials, mules crossed the barrier significantly faster than their parental species, the horses and donkeys. In the B trials, following the change of gap location, all species showed a reduction in performance. Both dogs and horses exhibited significant spatial perseveration, going initially to the previous gap location. Donkeys and mules, however, performed at chance level. Our results suggest that hybrid vigour in mules extends to spatial abilities.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Animal Cognition

ISSN

1435-9448

Publisher

Springer-Verlag

Issue

2

Volume

16

Page range

301-305

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2014-01-20

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2014-01-20

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