Computer-animated stimuli to measure motion sensitivity: constraints on signal design in the Jacky dragon

Current Zoology
Kevin L WooDarren Burke

Abstract

Identifying perceptual thresholds is critical for understanding the mechanisms that underlie signal evolution. Using computer-animated stimuli, we examined visual speed sensitivity in the Jacky dragonAmphibolurus muricatus, a species that makes extensive use of rapid motor patterns in social communication. First, focal lizards were tested in discrimination trials using random-dot kinematograms displaying combinations of speed, coherence, and direction. Second, we measured subject lizards' ability to predict the appearance of a secondary reinforcer (1 of 3 different computer-generated animations of invertebrates: cricket, spider, and mite) based on the direction of movement of a field of drifting dots by following a set of behavioural responses (e.g., orienting response, latency to respond) to our virtual stimuli. We found an effect of both speed and coherence, as well as an interaction between these 2 factors on the perception of moving stimuli. Overall, our results showed that Jacky dragons have acute sensitivity to high speeds. We then employed an optic flow analysis to match the performance to ecologically relevant motion. Our results suggest that the Jacky dragon visual system may have been shaped to detect fast motion. Thi...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 2, 2018·Current Zoology·Klaudia WitteUNKNOWN Guest Editors

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Software Mentioned

Analysis of Image Motion ( AIM
Matlab
Visual Programming
SPSS®
AIM
VPixx
SPSS
Final Cut Pro
Lightwave

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