Inhibitory learning and memory in the lesser octopus (Eledone cirrhosa)

Abstract

Eleven octopi (Eledone cirrhosa) were deprived of food for 24 h and then were presented individually a paper model of a crab, a live crab as a model, and a neutral letter T on the outside of the testing tank for 5, 10, and 3 days, respectively. When there was no approach to the model for 20 min, the model was removed and a live crab was introduced into the tank. The results indicated that (1) octopi are capable of inhibitory learning, (2) they can transfer the learned inhibition to a natural feeding situation, (3) they remember the learned inhibitions for at least 37 days, and (4) the number of approaches vary with the models—it is highest for the live crab model and lowest for the neutral T model. © 1992, Psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.