Abstract

ROJAS, Maryed et al. Effects of Food Dispersion on Choice and Exploration Patterns. Acta de investigación psicol [online]. 2011, vol.1, n.1, pp.132-148. ISSN 2007-4719.

The distribution of food has not been widely studied in the areas of foraging and patch choice. Search time and the potential exposure to predators vary when animals are exposed to two patches that have similar food density but different food distribution. The effects of food dispersion on choice, exploration, and exploitation of two patches was studied. A group of rats was placed in an experimental apparatus that had a choice area and two patches that were topographically identical and contained the same amount of food but varied in food dispersion: either the food was concentrated in a single place or the food was dispersed in eight different locations. Results showed that the rats remained a longer time in the concentrated patch and showed shorter, exhaustive visits to the patch where the food was dispersed. Rats developed different exploration patterns for each of the areas. The preferred areas for exploration were both the choice area and the concentrated patch.

Keywords : Foraging; Choice; Food distribution.

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