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 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...

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<td>iMac</td>
<td>Computer</td>
<td>Apple Computers, Inc.</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Three systems</td>
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<tr>
<td>Canopus&#174;</td>
<td>Digital-to-analog converter</td>
<td>Canopus&#174;</td>
<td>ADVC110</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<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>
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<td>Canon</td>
<td>Digital camcorder</td>
<td>Cannon Inc.</td>
<td>MV650i</td>
<td>Records behavior</td>
</tr>
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<td>NEC</td>
<td>Colour viewfinder</td>
<td>NEC</td>
<td>1892</td>
<td>View responses</td>
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<td>Sony VCR</td>
<td>VHS recorder</td>
<td>Sony Corporation</td>
<td>SLV-EZ717AS</td>
<td>Record behavior to VHS</td>
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<td>VHS tape</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Generic VHS</td>
<td>Recording media</td>
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<td>VPixx</td>
<td>Software program</td>
<td>VPixx Technologies, Inc.</td>
<td>v1.79</td>
<td>To create RDKs</td>
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<td>Final Cut Pro</td>
<td>Software program</td>
<td>Apple Computer, Inc.</td>
<td>HD</td>
<td>To create playback sequences</td>
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<td>Lightwave&#174; 3D</td>
<td>Software program</td>
<td>NewTek Inc.</td>
<td>v8.3</td>
<td>To create secondary reinforcers</td>
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<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>
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<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>
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<td>Globes</td>
<td>Spotone</td>
<td>Phillips</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>125W, Heat lamps for lizards</td>
</tr>
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<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>
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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 at JoVE.com

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

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

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