Geometric and feature encoding of discrete landmark arrays in Nucifraga columbiana
Abstract
One important step for successful navigation is
determining the appropriate direction to travel. This has been
referred to as determining one’s heading. Path integration is
one mechanism which allows an organism to continuously
update the straight-line distance and direction from its initial
starting point, allowing the organism to maintain an accurate
self-referenced sense of position. However, if the animal
becomes disoriented a discrepancy may exist between the
self-referenced system and the position indicated by external
cues (i.e., an external referent system). When such a
discrepancy exists the organism must find a means of
recalibrating its self-referenced system such that it
corresponds with the external world. Several studies have
suggested that landmarks and/or the overall geometric shape
of the environment may be used in this process of reorienting
(Cheng, 1986).
Investigating whether animals can use geometry to
reorient involves examining whether geometry can be
encoded using the shape of a fully enclosed environment, but
few have asked this question using discrete landmarks. If
animals can use geometric information to re-orient it would be
advantageous to use the geometry not only of continuous
surfaces but also from the configuration of discrete objects.