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Journal of comparative physiology. A, Neuroethology, sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology
05, 2020;206 (3): 379-387.

Path integration in a three-dimensional world: the case of desert ants.

Bernhard Ronacher
Author Information
  1. Bernhard Ronacher: Behavioural Physiology Group, Department of Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 18, 10099, Berlin, Germany. Bernhard.ronacher@rz.hu-berlin.de. ORCID
PMID: 32020292 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-020-01401-1

Abstract

Desert ants use path integration to return from foraging excursions on a shortcut way to their nests. Intriguingly, when walking over hills, the ants incorporate the ground distance, the paths' projection to the horizontal plane, into their path integrator. This review discusses how Cataglyphis may solve this computational feat. To infer ground distance, ants must incorporate the inclination of path segments into the assessment of distance. Hair fields between various joints have been eliminated as likely sensors for slope measurement, without affecting slope detection; nor do postural adaptations or changes in gait provide the relevant information. Changes in the sky's polarization pattern due to different head inclinations on slopes were ruled out as cues. Thus, the mechanisms by which ants may measure slopes still await clarification. Remarkably, the precision of slope measurement is roughly constant up to a 45° inclination, but breaks down at 60°. An encounter of sloped path segments during a foraging trip induces a general acceptance of slopes, however, slopes are not associated with specific values of the home vector. All current evidence suggests that Cataglyphis does not compute a vector in 3-D: path integration seems to operate exclusively in the horizontal plane.

Keywords

Cataglyphis Desert ants Distance estimation Path integration Three-dimensional navigation

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MeSH Term

Animals
Ants
Behavior, Animal
Biomechanical Phenomena
Cues
Feeding Behavior
Locomotion
Memory
Sensory Receptor Cells
Spatial Navigation
Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review
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Word Cloud

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