Effects of methylmercury on operant behavior

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Neurobehav. Toxicol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5679938

Laties, V G ^[1]; Evans, H L

---

1. Univ. of Rochester, NY

Experimental observations on methylmercury's effects on the behavior of pigeons are used to illustrate how operant techniques can be used to investigate long-lasting consequences of a toxic insult. The methylmercury is shown to disturb the ability of pigeons to discriminate the amount of behavior that they have emitted: they become less accurate in pecking the specific number of times needed to earn them food.

• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76EV03490
• OSTI ID: 5679938
• Journal Information: Neurobehav. Toxicol.; (United States), Journal Name: Neurobehav. Toxicol.; (United States) Vol. 4; ISSN NETOD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BEHAVIOR
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIRDS
CONDITIONED REFLEXES
LEARNING
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METHYLMERCURY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
PIGEONS
REFLEXES
VERTEBRATES