Three dimensional path integration in the house mouse (Mus domestica)

Previous studies have explored two-dimensional path integration in rodents by recording responses to passive rotation on a horizontal plane. This stud y adds the element of passive rotation in a vertical plane, necessitating t he mouse to integrate positional information from three dimensions. Mice we re trained to climb a wire mesh joining two horizontal planes. The whole ar ena was rotated 90 degrees while the mouse was vertically oriented as it mo ved between planes. Rotation was conducted both clockwise and counter-clock wise, controls being provided by rotation of the arena while the mouse was in its nest-box. All 16 mice tested altered their direction of travel subse quent to rotation in the vertical plane, compensating with a change in thei r path on the following horizontal plane.