Rats in virtual reality [Elektronische Ressource] : the development of an advanced method to study animal behaviour / von Alexander Schnee

Rats in Virtual Reality: The Development of an Advanced Method to Study Animal Behaviour der Fakultät für Biologie der EBERHARD KARLS UNIVERSITÄT TÜBINGEN zur Erlangung des Grades eines Doktors der Naturwissenschaften von Alexander Schnee aus Spaichingen vorgelegte D i s s e r t a t i o n 2008 Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 19.08.2008 Dekan: Prof. Dr. Hanspeter A. Mallot 1. Berichterstatter : Prof. Dr. Hanspeter A. Mallot 2. Berichterstatter : Dr. Joachim Ostwald Table of Contents 1 Introduction............................................................................................................ 1 1.1 The wild rat ...................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 The rat as an experimental subject ................................................................................... 1 1.3 The sensual system of the rat ........................................................................................... 2 1.3.1 Somatosensation, vibrissae and olfaction.................................................................. 2 1.3.2 Vision ........................................................................................................................ 3 1.4. The cognitive basis of spatial behaviour ..