Group movements of insects are bases for unravelling origin of social behavior of animals and are important in both theoretical (e.g., evolution) and practical (monitoriing) aspects. Automatic recognition and effective computational methods were developed for characterizing multi-individual interactions in laboratory conditions. Movements of Drosophila species in different genetic strains were continuously observed across days. Characteristic behaviors are objectively expressed based on parameter extraction and data structure visualization. Group activities, including aggregation, inter-individual interactions and arena positioning were objectively characterized in different photo- and scoto-phases according to machine-learning and spatio-termporal patterning techniques. Individual-group relationships are presented regarding how individual movements would contribute to formulating group activities. Usefulness of automatic monitoring of insect group movement is further discussed for a basis for genetic functioning in behavioral aspect.
Monitoring and assessing aquatic ecosystems using the behavior of organisms is essential for sustainable ecosystem management. Oligochaetes, which inhabit various freshwater ecosystems, are frequently used to evaluate the environmental conditions of freshwater ecosystems. Tubifex tubifex (Müller, 1774) (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae) is tolerant to organic pollution and has been used to evaluate the toxicity of toxicants, including heavy metals. We studied the behavioral responses of T. tubifex to three different copper concentrations (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg L-1). The specimens were exposed to copper in an observation cage containing 150 mL of dechlorinated water. Movement behavior (diameter, speed, acceleration, meander, and turning rate) was continuously observed for two hours before and after the copper treatments. After the treatments, the diameter shrank and showed rapid twisting movement under all the copper conditions. The turning rate had a positive correlation with meander and acceleration both before and after treatment at all three concentrations, whereas speed and meander had a negative correlation. Length and turning rate also showed a negative correlation. The correlation coefficient between speed and acceleration in the highest copper concentration changed from positive before treatment (r=0.64) to negative (r= - 0.52) after treatment. Our results present the possibility of using behavioral parameters to detect copper contamination in freshwater ecosystems.
In order to collect basic information of response behavior of red seabream (Pagrus major) during pilling, works for constructing wind power station in Byeonsan Peninsular, Korea were investigated. Four cultured red seabream CRB1 to CRB4 [total length (TL): 27.1 ± 1.0 cm; body weight: 359 ± 30 g] were tagged with an acoustic tag and used in experiment. CRB1 and CRB2 to CBR4 were released on the sea surface at same time around the constructing site of the wind power plant on September 22, 2017 and July 18, 2018, respectively. The tracking of the CRB1 to CRB2 and CRB3 to CRB4 were conducted for two hours, approximately, using VR100 receiver including a directional hydrophone and VR2W receivers array consisted of 19 presence/absence receivers (VR2W receivers), respectively. The underwater noise level before (no pile driving works) and during pile driving works was measured 116.0-118.0 dB (re 1Pa) and a maximum of 160 dB (re 1Pa), respectively. CRB1 moved about 6.0 km with average swimming speed of 80.2 ± 20.5 cm/s for 2.1 hours without pile driving work. The average water depth of the sea bed on the route of CRB1 was 9.1 ± 0.4 m. CRB2 moved about 7.3 km with the average swimming speed of 96.8 ± 27.1 cm/s for 2.1 hours with pile driving work. The water depth of the sea bed on the route of CRB2 was 11.9 ± 0.6 m. At results of the Rayleigh’s z-test two fishes CRB1 and CRB2 showed significant directionality in the movement (p < 0.01). Movement mean angles of CRB1 and CRB2 were 92.7 and 251.8°, respectively. CRB2, CRB3 and CRB4 exhibited the escaping behavioral response from the noise of source during the pile driving work. The swimming speed of the CRB2 exposed on the heavy underwater noise stimuli due to the pile driving work was 1.21 times faster than that of the CRB1 exposed on the ambient underwater
Subterranean termites bring enormous damages on wooden buildings and cultural properties (e.g., ancient temple, historical documents). Due to temperature increase in climate, there is a strong potential for termites to disperse in temperate zone widely. Since subterranean termites construct complex nests, diverging vertically from the horizontal network, we measured “movement efficiency” to address how fast termites pass through the tunnels in different slopes. Artificial tunnels were constructed on observation arena (curvature of 3cm) across different slopes (20o, 40o and 60o between the plate and ground). The passing time of the tunnel by single individual was subsequently measured. When the angle was 20o, there was no significant difference in movement efficiency (7.37 ± 1.07sec) compared with the case without slope (7.84 ± 1.35sec). As the angle was further increased, however, passing time increased. The mean time was approximately 8.79 ± 2.45sec and 14.83 ± 2.479sec at angles 40o and 60o respectively. It was also noteworthy that the termites showed the tendency to avoid entering into the tunnel. Optimization in nesting was further discussed between cost (i.e., energy requirement) and benefit (i.e., foraging efficiency) in tunnel construction.
The purpose of this study was to examine drivers’ driving behaviors and eye-movements according to driving speed and navigation-position while operation of the navigation in driving. For this purpose, two driving conditions (low-speed and high-speed) and
The moving ranges and behavior of four wild abalones, Haliotis discus hannai, were measured by an acoustic telemetry technique. The shape of the sea bottom of the experimental area was surveyed by a bathymetry system and three self-recording type acoustic receivers were used for monitoring the behavior and measuring the movement range. The abalones (WA1-WA4) attached acoustic tags were released and measured the movement during ten months. Three abalones (WA1, WA3 and WA4) were successively detected around the released point during the experiment and were moved to the V2 area where water depth is deeper than the V1 area. The change of inhabitation depth was also detected from the depth sensor of WA4. As the result, abalones were moved to deeper water area accordance with the decrease of the water temperature. The moved ranges of abalones were approximately 200 - 400m from the release point.
This study was conducted to collect the information on the behavioral characteristics and the habitat environment of mandarin fish (Siniperca schezeri) and catfish (Parasilurus asitus) with acoustic telemetry method in Chungju Lake, Korea. Mandarin fish tended to stay within 1km from the release points in downstream, and had a strong diurnal behavior. They approached to the lakefront at night. They also preferred to stay at deep water off the lakefront. The average swimming speed was faster at night (0.4BL/s) than during a day (0.2BL/s). They swam the shallow water area at night. Catfish frequently moved between upstream and downstream. Catfish tended to act during a day. The average swimming speed was faster during a day (0.3BL/s) than at night (0.2 BL/s). The average swimming depth was 14.3m, and they tended to float about 4m during a day.
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of forest activities on the movement skills, fine muscle functions and prosocial behaviors of children with a developmental disability. 12 children, aged 8 to 10, participated in this study; all of whom were either autistic or had an intellectual disability. The participants were divided in half and designated to either the experimental group or to the control group. The Forest Activity program was carried out once a week (from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m) for 10 weeks in a forest near D school in Seoul. Gross Motor Skill (MSTB-B), Fine Motor Skill, and prosocial behavior (PBSYC) was used as measuring tools to test the effects of the Forest Activity program on the participants. The application of the Forest Activity program showed improvements in flexibility and equivalence areas of Gross Motor Skill; as well as improved fine motor skills in accuracy and stability areas of small muscle function; and finally, there was an increase of prosocial behavior in 5 areas out of a total 7 areas (leadership, providing assistance, communication, empathy, proximity seeking). This study supports previous research in demonstrating the effectiveness of programs applying forest activities, such as the forest healing program, to enhance physical and mental stability.