Abstract
In Experiment 1, rats received experience in a two-bottle situation that involved successive discriminations, first between LiCl and sucrose and then between LiCl and distilled water. Following this experience, the rats displayed an immediate discrimination between .15 M LiCl and .15 M NaCl. When rats in Experiment 2 were given no prior LiCl experience, discrimination between .15 M LiCl and .15 M NaCl was not immediate but developed with repeated presentations. With gradual reductions in the molar concentration, it was found that the discrimination between equimolar NaCl and LiCl solutions was lost between .007 and .008 M. Further tests suggested that the discrimination between low concentrations of NaCl and LiCl was based on sensory (oral) rather than on postingestional cues. The exact oral cue used by the rats to discriminate NaCl from LiCl was not an obvious taste factor: Masking of .08 M NaCl and .08 M LiCl with the four basic tastes (sweet, salty, sour, and bitter), either alone or together, failed to disrupt the discrimination. It was concluded that rats could discriminate reliably and efficiently between equimolar NaCl and LiCl solutions throughout a broad range of concentrations. The possible sensory basis of this discrimination is discussed.
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