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Evidence of conditioned behavior in amoebae

Author

Listed:
  • Ildefonso M. De la Fuente

    (Espinardo University Campus
    University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU)

  • Carlos Bringas

    (University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU)

  • Iker Malaina

    (University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU)

  • María Fedetz

    (Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine “López-Neyra”, CSIC)

  • Jose Carrasco-Pujante

    (University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU)

  • Miguel Morales

    (University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU))

  • Shira Knafo

    (University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)
    Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science
    Ben-Gurion University of the Negev)

  • Luis Martínez

    (University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU
    Basque Center of Applied Mathematics (BCAM))

  • Alberto Pérez-Samartín

    (University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU)

  • José I. López

    (University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU))

  • Gorka Pérez-Yarza

    (University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU)

  • María Dolores Boyano

    (University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU)

Abstract

Associative memory is the main type of learning by which complex organisms endowed with evolved nervous systems respond efficiently to certain environmental stimuli. It has been found in different multicellular species, from cephalopods to humans, but never in individual cells. Here we describe a motility pattern consistent with associative conditioned behavior in the microorganism Amoeba proteus. We use a controlled direct-current electric field as the conditioned stimulus, and a specific chemotactic peptide as the unconditioned stimulus. The amoebae are capable of linking two independent past events, generating persistent locomotion movements that can prevail for 44 min on average. We confirm a similar behavior in a related species, Metamoeba leningradensis. Thus, our results indicate that unicellular organisms can modify their behavior during migration by associative conditioning.

Suggested Citation

  • Ildefonso M. De la Fuente & Carlos Bringas & Iker Malaina & María Fedetz & Jose Carrasco-Pujante & Miguel Morales & Shira Knafo & Luis Martínez & Alberto Pérez-Samartín & José I. López & Gorka Pérez-Y, 2019. "Evidence of conditioned behavior in amoebae," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-11677-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11677-w
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