Name: testing visual sensitivity to the speed and direction of motion in lizards
Uploaded: 2006-12-14T00:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Testing Visual Sensitivity to the Speed and Direction of Motion in Lizards Video at JoVE.com

<p class="jove_content">I would like to thank Christopher Evans and Darren Burke from the Centre for the Integrative Study of Animal Behaviour (CISAB).</p>

<p class="jove_title">Jacky Dragons</p>
<p class="jove_content"><span class="jove_content">Jacky lizards (<em>A. muricatus</em>) were held in climate-controlled captive facilities.</span></p>
<p class="jove_content"><span class="jove_content">Enclosures were constructed of fabricated glass terrariums measuring 60 cm<sup>3</sup>. Enclosures were also filled with Sydney sand substrate, native foliage, and natural wooden perches. Enclosures were placed on top of movable trolleys that allowed for subjects to be placed in the middle of all viewing m...

<ol>
	<li>Burghardt, G. M., Gans, C., Tinkle, D. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Learning+processes+in+reptiles.">Learning processes in reptiles.</a> <em style='font-style: italic'>Biology of the reptilia</em>. <b>7</b>, 555-681 (1977).</li><li>VPixx,  <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> <em style='font-style: italic'>Instruction Manual. VPixx Techniologies Inc</em>. , 96 (2002).</li></ol>

<p class="jove_content">Testing the sensory capacity in lizard species has been difficult, and has largely been both a tedious and arduous process. These difficulties stem from finding the correct reinforcer or establishing a functional protocol. Here, I established a successful protocol in which to test motion perception in lizards. This procedure may also be applicable in testing other visual characteristics as well as other sensory mechanisms.  In addition, this procedure may be applicable to other species. The usefulness of this protocol no...

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">	
		
		<div>
		<table border="1">
		<thead>
		<tr>
		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
		</tr>
		</thead>
		<tbody>
		
<tr>
<td>iMac</td>
<td>Computer</td>
<td>Apple Computers, Inc.</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Three systems</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Canopus&#174;</td>
<td>Digital-to-analog converter</td>
<td>Canopus&#174;</td>
<td>ADVC110</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Sony Trintron</td>
<td>Colour viewfinder</td>
<td>Sony Corporation</td>
<td>PVM-14M2A, PVM-14L2, PVM-14N5A</td>
<td>Three monitors</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Canon</td>
<td>Digital camcorder</td>
<td>Cannon Inc.</td>
<td>MV650i</td>
<td>Records behavior</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NEC</td>
<td>Colour viewfinder</td>
<td>NEC</td>
<td>1892</td>
<td>View responses</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sony VCR</td>
<td>VHS recorder</td>
<td>Sony Corporation</td>
<td>SLV-EZ717AS</td>
<td>Record behavior to VHS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VHS tape</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Generic VHS</td>
<td>Recording media</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VPixx</td>
<td>Software program</td>
<td>VPixx Technologies, Inc.</td>
<td>v1.79</td>
<td>To create RDKs</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Final Cut Pro</td>
<td>Software program</td>
<td>Apple Computer, Inc.</td>
<td>HD</td>
<td>To create playback sequences</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lightwave&#174; 3D</td>
<td>Software program</td>
<td>NewTek Inc.</td>
<td>v8.3</td>
<td>To create secondary reinforcers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mealworm</td>
<td>Tenebrio molitor</td>
<td>Pisces Enterprises LTD</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Primary reinforcer</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cricket</td>
<td>Achetus domesticus</td>
<td>Pisces Enterprises LTD</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Food for husbandry</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Terrariums</td>
<td>Glass</td>
<td>Crystal Palace Aquariums</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Enclosure material for lizards (60 x 60 x 60 cm)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Globes</td>
<td>Spotone</td>
<td>Phillips</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>125W, Heat lamps for lizards</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ultraviolet globes</td>
<td>Ultra-Vitalux</td>
<td>Osram</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td> 300W, UV lamps for lizards</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Herptivite</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Rep-Cal Research Labs</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Vitamins: beta carotene, calcium, and vitamin D3</td>
</tr>		</tbody>
		</table>
		</div>
			<div>
					</div>
		

testing visual sensitivity to the speed and direction of motion in lizards

<p class="jove_content">Testing visual sensitivity in any species provides basic information regarding behaviour, evolution, and ecology. However, testing specific features of the visual system provide more empirical evidence for functional applications. Investigation into the sensory system provides information about the sensory capacity, learning and memory ability, and establishes known baseline behaviour in which to gauge deviations (Burghardt, 1977). However, unlike mammalian or avian systems, testing for learning and memory in a reptile species is difficult. Furthermore, using an operant paradigm as a psychophysical measure of sensory ability is likewise as difficult. Historically, reptilian species have responded poorly to conditioning trials because of issues related to motivation, physiology, metabolism, and basic biological characteristics. Here, I demonstrate an operant paradigm used a novel model lizard species, the Jacky dragon (Amphibolurus muricatus) and describe how to test peripheral sensitivity to salient speed and motion characteristics. This method uses an innovative approach to assessing learning and sensory capacity in lizards. I employ the use of random-dot kinematograms (RDKs) to measure sensitivity to speed, and manipulate the level of signal strength by changing the proportion of dots moving in a coherent direction. RDKs do not represent a biologically meaningful stimulus, engages the visual system, and is a classic psychophysical tool used to measure sensitivity in humans and other animals. Here, RDKs are displayed to lizards using three video playback systems. Lizards are to select the direction (left or right) in which they perceive dots to be moving. Selection of the appropriate direction is reinforced by biologically important prey stimuli, simulated by computer-animated invertebrates.</p>

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Testing Visual Sensitivity to the Speed and Direction of Motion in Lizards Video at JoVE.com

Testing Visual Sensitivity to the Speed and Direction of Motion in Lizards Video (Video) | JoVE

<p class="jove_content">Testing visual sensitivity in lizards using an operant conditioning paradigm that employs video playback of random-dot kinematograms and computer-generated invertebrates.</p>

Testing Visual Sensitivity to the Speed and Direction of Motion in Lizards

Testing visual sensitivity in any species provides basic information regarding behaviour, evolution, and ecology. However, testing specific features of ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

Testing the Physiological Barriers to Viral Transmission in Aphids Using Microinjection

Testing the Physiological Barriers to Viral Transmission in Aphids Using Microinjection Video (Video) | JoVE

Potato loafroll virus (PLRV), from the family Luteoviridae infects solanaceous plants. It is transmitted by aphids, primarily, the green peach aphid. When ...

Single-cell Suction Recordings from Mouse Cone Photoreceptors

Single-cell Suction Recordings from Mouse Cone Photoreceptors Video (Video) | JoVE

Rod and cone photoreceptors in the retina are responsible for light detection. In darkness, cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels in the outer segment ...

Using the optokinetic response to study visual function of zebrafish

Using the optokinetic response to study visual function of zebrafish Video (Video) | JoVE

Optokinetic response (OKR) is a behavior that an animal vibrates its eyes to follow a rotating grating around it. It has been widely used to assess the ...

Insulin Injection and Hemolymph Extraction to Measure Insulin Sensitivity in Adult <em>Drosophila melanogaster</em>

Insulin Injection and Hemolymph Extraction to Measure Insulin Sensitivity in Adult Drosophila melanogaster Video (Video) | JoVE

Conserved nutrient sensing mechanisms exist between mammal and fruit fly where peptides resembling mammalian insulin and glucagon, respectively function ...

Design and Analysis of Temperature Preference Behavior and its Circadian Rhythm in <em>Drosophila</em>

Design and Analysis of Temperature Preference Behavior and its Circadian Rhythm in Drosophila Video (Video) | JoVE

The circadian clock regulates many aspects of life, including sleep, locomotor activity, and body temperature (BTR) rhythms1,2. We recently identified a ...

Validation of a Mouse Model to Disrupt LINC Complexes in a Cell-specific Manner

Validation of a Mouse Model to Disrupt LINC Complexes in a Cell-specific Manner Video (Video) | JoVE

Nuclear migration and anchorage within developing and adult tissues relies heavily upon large macromolecular protein assemblies called LInkers of the ...

A Graphical User Interface for Software-assisted Tracking of Protein Concentration in Dynamic Cellular Protrusions

A Graphical User Interface for Software-assisted Tracking of Protein Concentration in Dynamic Cellular Protrusions Video (Video) | JoVE

Filopodia are dynamic, finger-like cellular protrusions associated with migration and cell-cell communication. In order to better understand the complex ...

Application of High-speed Super-resolution SPEED Microscopy in Live Primary Cilium

Application of High-speed Super-resolution SPEED Microscopy in Live Primary Cilium Video (Video) | JoVE

The primary cilium is a microtubule-based protrusion on the surface of many eukaryotic cells and contains a unique complement of proteins that function ...

Protocols for Testing the Toxicity of Novel Insecticidal Chemistries to Mosquitoes

Protocols for Testing the Toxicity of Novel Insecticidal Chemistries to Mosquitoes Video (Video) | JoVE

New classes of insecticides with novel modes of action are needed to control insecticide resistant populations of mosquitoes that transmit diseases such ...

Profiling of H3K4me3 Modification in Plants using Cleavage under Targets and Tagmentation

Profiling of H3K4me3 Modification in Plants using Cleavage under Targets and Tagmentation Video (Video) | JoVE

Epigenomic regulation at the chromatic level, including DNA and histone modifications, behaviors of transcription factors, and non-coding RNAs with their ...