Multichannel Stroboscopic Videography (MSV): A technique for visualizing multiple channels for behavioral measurements

Abstract

Biologists commonly visualize different features of an organism using distinct sources of illumination. Multichannel imaging has largely not been applied to behavioral studies due to the challenges posed by a moving subject. We address this challenge with the technique of Multichannel Stroboscopic Videography (MSV), which synchronizes multiple strobe lights with video exposures of a single camera. We illustrate the utility of this approach with kinematic measurements of a walking cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) and calculations of the pressure field around a swimming fish (Danio rerio). In both, transmitted illumination generated high-contrast images of the animal's body in one channel. Other sources of illumination were used to visualize the points of contact for the feet of the cockroach and water flow around the fish in separate channels. MSV provides an enhanced potential for high-throughput experimentation and the capacity to integrate changes in physiological or environmental conditions in freely-behaving animals.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2019
Source ID
10.1242/jeb.201749

Entities

People

  • Alberto Soto
  • Matthew J McHenry
  • Theodora Po

Organizations

  • National Science Foundation
  • Office of Naval Research
  • University of California, Irvine

Tags

Readers

  • Auditory Neuroscience/Auditory Physiology.
  • Distributed Systems and Data Platform Development
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.