ASPECTS OF SPONTANEOUS ORIENTATION AND BIAS IN THE MAZE-BEHAVIOUR OF LITHOBIUS FORFICATUS L. (MYRIAPODA CHILOPODA) AND THE WHITE MOUSE (MUS MUSCULUS L.)

Abstract

SUMMARY Spontaneous orientation in T-mazes and at the exits of simple straight corridors were measured in the centipede Lithobius forficatus L. (Myria- poda) and in white mice (Mus musculus L.); the mice were trained by different learning-programmes in a double-T-maze and their spontaneous tendencies were analysed in relation to learning. In Lithobius spontaneous alternation could be demonstrated as the dominant factor in maze-behaviour. In the mice, although descended from one inbred-strain, no general tendency was found, but single individuals demonstrated very fixed types of orientation either as bias or alternation.