Article Abstract:
The mediterranean ant Catalyphis cursor is capable of learning fixed paths very quickly, without a compatible home vector. This suggests that ants could temporarily store a sequence of path segments on each trip home. Ants appear to avoid speculative learning of views, using home vectors to trigger or allow the storage of significant scenes. If the value of the home vector drops while the ant approaches and passes a shape, the shape's appearance is learnt. In contrast, no visual learning takes place if the vector grows or is absent.
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Article Abstract:
Research into the possibility that wood ants (Formica rufa) store multiple views has established that they take a number of 'snapshots' of a familiar beacon from various vantage points. When an ant leaves a newly discovered food source at the base of a landmark, it carries out a complex walk back to the nest. During this walk, it turns back to face the landmark from time to time, allowing it to store multiple views. It seems that there could be interesting similarities between object recognition by insects and humans.
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Article Abstract:
Desert ants navigate by path integration and by visual landmarks. They compute their net distance and direction from a nest during the outward and return journey. They can steer by visual landmarks and used a fixed and often circuitous path comprising several segments. Such multi-segment journeys are shown to comprise partly of stored local movement vectors, which can be recalled at many values.
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