Intraretinal Transfer and the Function of the Optic Lobes in Octopus

Abstract

A method of training octopuses was developed which allowed the part of the retina stimulated to be controlled during training and subsequent transfer tests. Using this method the following results were obtained, (1) There was more stimulus generalization when the edge of the retina was stimulated than there was when the centre of the retina was stimulated, suggesting that discrimination is better with the centre of the retina. (2) Intraretinal transfer is more nearly complete than interocular transfer. (3) Continuity of the optic lobes between the projection areas of different parts of the retina is necessary if receptor transfer is to occur between them. The optic lobes are therefore involved in visual learning in the situation used.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Boycott

B. B.

Young

J. Z.

(1955). A memory system in Octopus vulgaris, Lamarck. Proc. roy. Soc. Lond., ser. B. 143, 449–80.

Heidermanns

(1928). Messende Untersuchungen über das Formensehn der Cephalopoden und ihre optische Orientierung im Raume. Zool. Jb., Abt. 3 45, 609–50.

Hess

(1905). Beiträge zur Physiologie und Anatomie des Cephalopodenauges. Arch. ges. Physiol. 109, 393–439.

Muntz

W. R. A.

(1961a). Interocular transfer in Octopus vulgaris. J. comp. physiol. Psychol. 54, 49–55.

Muntz

W. R. A.

(1961b). The function of the vertical lobe system of the Octopus in interocular transfer. J. comp. physiol. Psychol. 54, 186–91.

Muntz

W. R. A.

(1961c). Interocular transfer in octopus: bilaterality of the engram. J. comp. physiol. Psychol. 54, 192–5.

Muntz

W. R. A.

(1962). Stimulus generalization gradients following monocular training in Octopus. J. comp. physiol. Psychol. 55, 535–40.

Wells

M. J.

Wells

(1957). The effect of lesions to the vertical and optic lobes on tactile discrimination in Octopus. J. exp. Biol. 34, 378–93.

Young

J. Z.

(1939). Fused neurones and synaptic contacts in the giant nerve fibres of cephalopoda. Phil. Trans., ser. B. 229, 465–503.

10.

Young

J. Z.

(1960). Regularities in the retina and optic lobes of Octopus in relation to form discrimination. Nature 186, 836–50.

11.

Young

J. Z.

(1961). Learning and discrimination in the octopus. Biol. Rev. 36, 32–96.