Temporal differentiation in two strains of small rodents: a wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) and an albino mouse (Mus musculus OF1)

Wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) and OF1 albino mice (Mus musculus) were com pared over durations ranging from 0.5 to 7 s, using the differential reinfo rcement of response duration schedule (DRRD) and a 'platform' response, i.e . staying on a small platform for a specified criterion duration to be rein forced. Species-related differences were found for mean response durations, efficiency and the number of trials needed to reach a preset performance c riterion. Coefficients of variation of response durations did not differ. O verall, OF1 mice needed more trials than wood mice to reach a temporal crit erion. However, over 3-7 s, data from both strains almost fitted the behavi oral assumptions of Scalar Timing theory. Performance of mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) trained in a similar setting was shown for visual c omparison. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.