Abstract
We analyzed operant discrimination in
detelencephalated pigeons and neuroanatomical
substrates after long-term detelencephalation.
In Experiment I, experimental pigeons with
massive telencephalic ablation and control
pigeons were conditioned to key peck for food.
Successive discrimination was made under
alternating red (variable-ratio reinforcement)
and yellow (extinction) lights in one key of the
chamber. These relations were interchanged
during reversal discrimination. The sessions
were run until steady-state rates were achieved.
Experiment II analyzed the morphology of the
nucleus rotundus and optic tectum in long-term
detelencephalated and control birds, using a
Klüver-Barrera staining and image analyzer
system. Detelencephalated birds had more
training sessions for response shaping and
steady-state behavior