Visual-auditory integration for visual search: a behavioral study in barn owls

Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience
Yael HazanYoram Gutfreund

Abstract

Barn owls are nocturnal predators that rely on both vision and hearing for survival. The optic tectum of barn owls, a midbrain structure involved in selective attention, has been used as a model for studying visual-auditory integration at the neuronal level. However, behavioral data on visual-auditory integration in barn owls are lacking. The goal of this study was to examine if the integration of visual and auditory signals contributes to the process of guiding attention toward salient stimuli. We attached miniature wireless video cameras on barn owls' heads (OwlCam) to track their target of gaze. We first provide evidence that the area centralis (a retinal area with a maximal density of photoreceptors) is used as a functional fovea in barn owls. Thus, by mapping the projection of the area centralis on the OwlCam's video frame, it is possible to extract the target of gaze. For the experiment, owls were positioned on a high perch and four food items were scattered in a large arena on the floor. In addition, a hidden loudspeaker was positioned in the arena. The positions of the food items and speaker were changed every session. Video sequences from the OwlCam were saved for offline analysis while the owls spontaneously scanned t...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jun 6, 2017·Bioinspiration & Biomimetics·Ouriel BarzilayAlon Wolf
Oct 11, 2017·Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology·Julia R BeatiniMegan D Gall
Jan 23, 2020·Journal of Neurophysiology·Arkadeb DuttaYoram Gutfreund
Dec 8, 2017·Animal Cognition·Tidhar Lev-Ari, Yoram Gutfreund
May 1, 2020·Scientific Reports·Tidhar Lev-AriYoram Gutfreund

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
chip

Software Mentioned

Matlab
OwlCam

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