The olfactory learning capability of the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus was studied. Crickets were deprived of drinking water for 4 days and were individually trained to associate peppermint with water and vanilla with NaCl solution. Their odour preference was tested before and after training by allowing them to choose between peppermint or vanilla sources. The time spent visiting each source served as a measure of odour preference. Crickets exhibited an initial preference for vanilla over peppermint, but preference for the latter increased after only one training session. The olfactory memory formed by a single training session decayed with time but remained for at least 24 h. Memory formed by three training sessions was extremely robust, and did not decay significantly between 1 and 7 days after training. The preference formed was easily altered by reversal training in which vanilla was associated with water and peppermint with saline solution. This study shows that crickets have a highly developed olfactory learning capability characterized by fast acquisition, long retention and easy rewriting of memory.
Join the JEB team
We are seeking a Reviews Editor to join the JEB team for 12 months as maternity cover. Find out more about this exciting opportunity to make a significant contribution to the leading journal in comparative physiology and biomechanics.
Canadian Society of Zoologists' annual meeting: 17-21 May
JEB is a proud sponsor of the Canadian Society of Zoologists' annual (virtual) meeting. Visit our dedicated webpage to find subject collections associated with the talks/awards, information for early-career researchers and to learn more about the journal.
Call for papers - Building New Paradigms in Comparative Physiology and Biomechanics
Our upcoming special issue is welcoming submissions until 31 July 2021. The special issue will be published in early 2022 and will be widely promoted online and at key global conferences.
Sharpshooting archerfish brake to overcome recoil
Archerfish are exceptional snipers and now it turns out that they use their fins as brakes to counteract the recoil that would submerge them when taking out a target with a jet of water.
Responses of terrestrial polar arthropods to high and increasing temperatures
In a Review of thermal adaptation of polar terrestrial arthropods to high temperatures, Bahrndorff et al. conclude that a large variation in upper thermal limits exists across polar regions, habitats and species.
Welcome to our new Editorial Advisory Board members
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