title: A microcomputer-based activity meter for multiple animals.
abstract: We describe and validate a computer-video system that records and displays in real-time the activity of multiple specimens in a user-defined space, at user-defined intervals. The computer program uses image subtraction algorithms to record changes in video images, and stores observations in column format or as a series of 2-D matrices. The program was tested under various lighting conditions, backgrounds, specimen size and specimen speed. An AV model of Macintosh computer with video input from a camera or video cassette recorder was used to record and analyze the mechanical movement of spots on a turntable and the locomotor activity of an ant colony. The limitations and potential applications of the program are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611 0620, USA.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Hoy
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Koehler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology; D008838:Microcomputers; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D012984:Software; D014741:Video Recording / Q000379:methods*