Transfer of information effect in the free-foraging situation: two observers receiving different diet messages.

Abstract

For many years, scientists have asserted that social interaction plays a significant role in the transfer of information concerning food preferences. Posadas-Anclrews and Roper (1983) identified two methods by which colonies of rats can obtain diet information: (1) directly, hy ingesting the food itself, and/or (2) indirectly, hy interacting with a conspecific, or animal of the same species. Recently, Galef and his colleagues (e.g., Gellef, 1983; Galef, Kennett, f, Wigmore, 1984; Galef & Wigmore. 1983) have repeatedly shown that a recently fed rat (a demonstrator) may transfer information regarding the type of food it has consumed to a naive animal (an observer). Such experiments typically have been conducted in wire-mesh cases or a wooden maze. In conjunction with previous experiments conducted iu our laboratory. the present study sought to extend the transfer of information paradigm to the open-field foraging situatiou. Thus. rather than having only two food sites to choose from, the animals would he confronted with six food sites. It has been shown in our lal10ratory that fol]owing interaction with 8 demonstrator which Ilad consumed a specific test diet, the observer, when exposed to the free foraging situation, successflilly exhibits an enhanced preference for the diet of its demonstrator partner. Additionally, studies conducted in our laboratory have found the same to be true when two observers receiving the same diet message were simultaneously tested in the foraging situation. The purpose of the present study was to expand these findings further. ~lore specifically, two observers each provided with a different food-type message were tested. Positive results were obtained in the present study whicll mirrored the previous free fora8inp situation findings. rloreover, it could he concluded that the demonstrator is a viable source of diet iuformation, and that animal-animal interactions which occurredbetween the two observers were not powerful enough to overthrow the two demonstrators original messages.