Spatial memory and the avian hippocampus: research in zebra finches

Uwe Mayer; Shigeru Watanabe; Hans-Joachim Bischof

doi:10.1016/j.jphysparis.2012.05.002

Spatial memory and the avian hippocampus: research in zebra finches

J Physiol Paris. 2013 Jan-Apr;107(1-2):2-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jphysparis.2012.05.002. Epub 2012 May 18.

Authors

Uwe Mayer¹, Shigeru Watanabe², Hans-Joachim Bischof³

Affiliations

¹ Neuroethology, Bielefeld University, PO Box 100131, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany. Electronic address: uwe.mayer@uni-bielefeld.de.
² Dept. Psychology, Keio University, Mita 2-15-45, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address: swat@flet.keio.ac.jp.
³ Neuroethology, Bielefeld University, PO Box 100131, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany. Electronic address: bischof@uni-bielefeld.de.

PMID: 22613455
DOI: 10.1016/j.jphysparis.2012.05.002

Abstract

The aim of the present review is to show that spatial learning and memory is not a specialty of just a few avian species, and to describe the role of the avian hippocampus in spatial learning, memory and orientation. Based on our own research in zebra finches, we try to give an (not complete and probably biased) overview of this topic, and we also discuss the question of functional equivalence of hippocampus in birds and in mammals in that we question how far theories developed for mammalian hippocampus can also be applied to the avian hippocampal formation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Finches / physiology*
Hippocampus / physiology*
Memory / physiology*
Spatial Behavior / physiology*