A MICROCOMPUTER-BASED ACTIVITY METER FOR MULTIPLE ANIMALS

We describe and validate a computer-video system that records and disp lays in real-rime rbe activity of multiple specimens in a user-defined space, at user-defined intervals. The computer program uses image sub traction algorithms to record changes in video images, and stores obse rvations in column format or as a series of 2-D matrices. The program was tested under various lighting conditions, backgrounds, specimen si ze and specimen speed. An AV model of Macintosh computer with video in put from a camera or video cassette recorder was used to record and an alyze the mechanical movement of spots on a turntable and the locomoto r activity of an ant colony. The limitations and potential application s of the program are discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.