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Main Question: What is the physical evidence of spatial memory in the brain of male
S. Occidentalis?
Why Important?
Powerful tool for comparative study of animal cognition and behavior
Greater understanding of cognitive mapping in squamates
Why S. occidentalis?
Spatial memory demonstrated in some squamate reptiles (U.
stansburiana and E. guttata guttata)
Confounding factors in S. occidentalis (e.g. inadequate motivators,
inconsistent tasks and housing conditions)
Why males?
More consistent behaviors related to spatial navigation (territory/home
range size)
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Hypothesis: Squamate reptiles exhibit increased neuronal proliferation in the olfactory
bulb, medial, dorsal, and lateral cortex, anterior dorsal ventricular ridge, nucleus
sphericus, septum, striatum, and cerebellum in response to solving spatial tasks
Prediction: Male S. occidentalis will exhibit increased neuronal proliferation in the OB,
MC, DC, LC, aDVR, NS, septum, striatum, and cerebellum in response to solving a
spatial task
Objectives:
Develop reliable spatial task for squamate use
Determine magnitude of spatial memory exhibited by male S. occidentalis
Measure physical response of S. occidentalis brain to solving spatial task
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Experimental Procedure:
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Brain Preparation:
~470 34m slices
Label new and proliferating neurons
Primary antibody: NeuN
Secondary antibody: Anti-Mouse
Stain: Chromagen
Brain Analysis
Indication of spatial memory
More neurogenesis in regions of interest
Greater volume in regions of interest
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Timeline: