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Measuring and quantifying dynamic visual signals in jumping spiders

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An Erratum to this article was published on 05 May 2006

Abstract

Animals emit visual signals that involve simultaneous, sequential movements of appendages that unfold with varying dynamics in time and space. Algorithms have been recently reported (e.g. Peters et al. in Anim Behav 64:131–146, 2002) that enable quantitative characterization of movements as optical flow patterns. For decades, acoustical signals have been rendered by techniques that decompose sound into amplitude, time, and spectral components. Using an optic-flow algorithm we examined visual courtship behaviours of jumping spiders and depict their complex visual signals as “speed waveform”, “speed surface”, and “speed waterfall” plots analogous to acoustic waveforms, spectrograms, and waterfall plots, respectively. In addition, these “speed profiles” are compatible with analytical techniques developed for auditory analysis. Using examples from the jumping spider Habronattus pugillis we show that we can statistically differentiate displays of different “sky island” populations supporting previous work on diversification. We also examined visual displays from the jumping spider Habronattus dossenus and show that distinct seismic components of vibratory displays are produced concurrently with statistically distinct motion signals. Given that dynamic visual signals are common, from insects to birds to mammals, we propose that optical-flow algorithms and the analyses described here will be useful for many researchers.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank M.C.B. Andrade, C. Botero, C. Gilbert, J. Bradbury, B. Brennen, M.E. Arnegard, E.A. Hebets, W.P. Maddison, M. Lowder, Cornell’s Neuroethology Journal Club, an anonymous reviewer, and members of the Hoy lab for helpful comments, suggestions, and assistance. Spider illustrations were generously provided by Margy Nelson. Funding was provided by NIH and HHMI to RRH (N1DCR01 DC00103), NSERC to ACM (238882 241419), NIH to BRL, and a HHMI Pre-Doctoral Fellowship to DOE. These experiments complied with “Principles of animal care”, publication no. 86–23, revised 1985 of the National Institute of Health, and also with the current laws of the country (USA and Canada) in which the experiments were performed.

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Author notes

  1. Damian O. Elias

    Present address: Department of Life Sciences, Integrative Behaviour and Neuroscience, University of Toronto at Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Scarborough, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Seeley G. Mudd Hall, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA

    Damian O. Elias, Bruce R. Land & Ronald R. Hoy

  2. Department of Life Sciences, Integrative Behaviour and Neuroscience, University of Toronto at Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Scarborough, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada

    Andrew C. Mason

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  1. Damian O. Elias
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  2. Bruce R. Land
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  4. Ronald R. Hoy
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Correspondence to Damian O. Elias.

Additional information

Damian O. Elias and Bruce R. Land contributed equally

An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00359-006-0128-3

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Elias, D.O., Land, B.R., Mason, A.C. et al. Measuring and quantifying dynamic visual signals in jumping spiders. J Comp Physiol A 192, 785–797 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-006-0116-7

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