Psychologisches Institut, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Mertonstr. 17, 60054 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
J R Soc Interface. 2010 Apr 6;7 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S235-40. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2009.0436.focus. Epub 2010 Jan 6.
The aim of our study was to test for lateralization of magnetic compass orientation in pigeons. Having shown that pigeons are capable of learning magnetic compass directions in an operant task, we wanted to know whether the brain hemispheres contribute differently and how the lateralization pattern relates to findings in other avian species. Birds that had learnt to locate food in an operant chamber by means of magnetic directions were tested for lateralization of magnetic compass orientation by temporarily covering one eye. Successful orientation occurred under all conditions of viewing. Thus, pigeons can perceive and process magnetic compass directions with the right eye and left brain hemisphere as well as the left eye and right brain hemisphere. However, while the right brain hemisphere tended to confuse the learned direction with its opposite (axial response), the left brain hemisphere specifically preferred the correct direction. Our findings demonstrate bilateral processing of magnetic information, but also suggest qualitative differences in how the left and the right brain deal with magnetic cues.
我们的研究目的是测试鸽子的磁场定向的偏侧性。在证明鸽子能够在操作性任务中学习磁场方向后，我们想知道大脑半球是否有不同的贡献，以及偏侧化模式与其他鸟类物种的发现有何关系。已经学会通过磁场方向在操作性室中找到食物的鸟类通过暂时遮盖一只眼睛来测试其磁场定向的偏侧性。在所有观察条件下，成功的定向都发生了。因此，鸽子可以用右眼和左大脑半球以及左眼和右大脑半球感知和处理磁场方向。然而，虽然右大脑半球倾向于将所学方向与相反方向混淆（轴向反应），但左大脑半球特别偏好正确方向。我们的发现表明对磁场信息的双边处理，但也表明左脑和右脑处理磁场线索的方式存在质的差异。
