TY - JOUR
T1 - Electric shock for aversion training of jumping spiders
T2 - towards an arachnid model of avoidance learning
AU - Peckmezian, Tina
AU - Taylor, Phillip W.
PY - 2015/4
Y1 - 2015/4
N2 - Electric shock is used widely as an aversive stimulus in conditioning experiments, yet little attention has been given to its physiological effects and their consequences for bioassays. In the present study, we provide a detailed characterization of how electric shock affects the mobility and behaviour of Servaea incana, a jumping spider. We begin with four mobility assays and then narrow our focus to a single effective assay with which we assess performance and behaviour. Based on our findings, we suggest a voltage range that may be employed as an aversive stimulus while minimizing decrements in physical performance and other aspects of behaviour. Additionally, we outline a novel method for constructing electric shock platforms that overcome some of the constraints of traditional methods while being highly effective and easily modifiable to suit the study animal and experimental context. Finally, as a demonstration of the viability of our aversive stimulus in a passive avoidance conditioning task, we successfully train spiders to associate a dark compartment with electric shock. Future research using electric shock as an aversive stimulus with terrestrial invertebrates such as spiders and insects may benefit from the flexible and reliable methods outlined in the present study.
AB - Electric shock is used widely as an aversive stimulus in conditioning experiments, yet little attention has been given to its physiological effects and their consequences for bioassays. In the present study, we provide a detailed characterization of how electric shock affects the mobility and behaviour of Servaea incana, a jumping spider. We begin with four mobility assays and then narrow our focus to a single effective assay with which we assess performance and behaviour. Based on our findings, we suggest a voltage range that may be employed as an aversive stimulus while minimizing decrements in physical performance and other aspects of behaviour. Additionally, we outline a novel method for constructing electric shock platforms that overcome some of the constraints of traditional methods while being highly effective and easily modifiable to suit the study animal and experimental context. Finally, as a demonstration of the viability of our aversive stimulus in a passive avoidance conditioning task, we successfully train spiders to associate a dark compartment with electric shock. Future research using electric shock as an aversive stimulus with terrestrial invertebrates such as spiders and insects may benefit from the flexible and reliable methods outlined in the present study.
KW - Aversive stimulus
KW - Electric shock
KW - Jumping spider
KW - Learning
KW - Mobility
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84921961786&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.beproc.2015.01.015
DO - 10.1016/j.beproc.2015.01.015
M3 - Article
C2 - 25637868
AN - SCOPUS:84921961786
SN - 0376-6357
VL - 113
SP - 99
EP - 104
JO - Behavioural Processes
JF - Behavioural Processes
ER -