New paper on 3D tracking!

(A) Picture of the stereo vision system, composed by two cameras (Cam1 and Cam2) that overlook the entire aquarium from different angles. (B) Air-cooled blue-light lamp used to excite the red and yellow fluorescent nanoparticles. (C) Schematic top view of the system with cameras positioned 90° from each other.

Computer vision applications are very useful to study animal movements, but due to their intrinsic complexity they are challenging to design, implement, and use properly.  In our new paper (see http://aslo.org/lomethods/free/2013/0278.html) we describe a laboratory system for tracking zooplankton in 3D. We demonstrate the crucial importance of using a correct calibration for proper interpretation of animal swimming behaviour and why 2D tracks are unable to give complete information on Daphnia movement performance.

This new system is currently used to investigate how zooplankton deal under multiple risks – such as UV radiation and predation – and how individual difference in behavioural responses might affect the functioning of aquatic ecosystems. More to come soon…

/Giuseppe et al.