Effects of massive telencephalic lesions on the organization of behavior in pigeons (Columba livia)

RESUMO

The effect of massive lesions of the telencephalon on the repertoire of captive pigeons were investigated. The behavior of four birds with an intact telencephalon was compared to that of four birds submitted to ablation of telencephalic structures. Behavioral audio recording was done according to previously defined categories in three daily sessions for fifteen days. Experimental birds were followed up for month. Immediately after the lesion, operated birds showed decreases in the occurrence of different behaviors such as coording movements, feeding, interaction, preening, maintenance, exploration and vocalization and increases in locomotion and discrete movements of the body when compared to the control birds (P<0.05). Recovery of exploration (P<0.05), feeding and localization was during the follow-up period. These data are interpreted as suggestive of a functional role of the telencephalon in the organization of behavior and a long-term recovery of behavior after detelencephalation