Simple discrimination in stingless bees (Melipona quadrifasciata): Probing for select- and reject-stimulus control

Author(s)

Scienza, Livia ^[1] ; de Carvalho, Marilia Pinheiro ^[2] ; Machado, Armando ^[3] ; Moreno, Antonio Mauricio ^[4] ; Biscassi, Natalia ^[1] ; de Souza, Deisy das Gracas ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Para, Belem, Para - Brazil

^[3] Univ Aveiro, Aveiro - Portugal

^[4] Univ Estadual Sudoeste Bahia, Vitoria Da Conquista, BA - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF THE EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF BEHAVIOR; v. 112, n. 1, p. 74-87, JUL 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Simple and conditional discrimination training may produce various types of controlling relations. Responses may be controlled primarily by the positive stimulus (select-control relation) or by the negative stimulus (reject-control relation; the subject excludes the negative stimulus and chooses the positive). Bees learn to respond in simple and conditional discriminations. However, no study has searched for reject-control responding in Melipona bees. We trained Melipona quadrifasciata on a simple discrimination task (S+ vs. S-; e.g., blue vs. yellow) and then probed for stimulus control with two types of probe trials, S+ versus a new stimulus (Select-control probes) and S- versus a new stimulus (Reject-control probes). For Group Different, a new-stimulus color (e.g., white) was used in one type of probe and another color (e.g., black) was used in the other type. For Group Same, a single new-stimulus color was used in both types of probes. On Select probes, the bees always preferred S+ to the new stimulus. On Reject probes, results were mixed. Depending on the colors used in training and probing, bees responded to both stimuli, and even preferred the S-. The data suggest no control by the negative function of the S- and support the select-stimulus control hypothesis of responding. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/57705-8 - Institute for the Study of Behavior, Cognition and Teaching
• Grantee: Deisy das Graças de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/20444-3 - Testing for responding by exclusion in a simple discrimination baseline in honeybees (Melipona quadrifasciata)
• Grantee: Livia Scienza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 14/50909-8 - INCT 2014: Behavior, Cognition and Teaching (INCT-ECCE): relational learning and symbolic functioning
• Grantee: Deisy das Graças de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/06491-1 - Quantitative analysis of behavioral relations: visit of Dr. Armando Domingos Batista Machado to UFSCar
• Grantee: Deisy das Graças de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International