Demonstrating a measurement protocol for studying comparative whisker movements with implications for the evolution of behaviour.
Complex behaviours
Mammals
Sensing
Somatosensory
Touch
Vibrissae
Journal
Journal of neuroscience methods
ISSN: 1872-678X
Titre abrégé: J Neurosci Methods
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 7905558
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
15 01 2023
15 01 2023
Historique:
received:
16
08
2022
revised:
10
11
2022
accepted:
22
11
2022
pubmed:
27
11
2022
medline:
21
12
2022
entrez:
26
11
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Studying natural, complex behaviours over a range of different species provides insights into the evolution of the brain and behaviour. Whisker movements reveal complex behaviours; however, there does not yet exist a protocol that is able to capture whisker movements and behaviours in a range of different species. We develop a new protocol and make recommendations for measuring comparative whisker movements and behaviours. Using two set-ups - an enclosure camera set-up and a high-speed video set-up - we capture and measure the whisker movements of sixteen different captive mammal species from four different animal collections. We demonstrate the ability to describe whisker movements and behaviours across a wide range of mammalian species. We describe whisker movements in European hedgehog, Cape porcupine, domestic rabbit, domestic ferret, weasel, European otter and red fox for the first time. We observe whisker movements in all the species we tested, although movement, positions and behaviours vary in a species-specific way. The high-speed video set-up is based on the protocols of previous studies. The addition of an enclosure video set-up is entirely new, and allows us to include more species, especially large and shy species that cannot be moved into a high-speed filming arena. We make recommendations for comparative whisker behaviour studies, particularly incorporating individual and species-specific considerations. We believe that flexible, comparative behavioural protocols have wide-ranging applications, specifically to better understand links between the brain and complex behaviours.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Studying natural, complex behaviours over a range of different species provides insights into the evolution of the brain and behaviour. Whisker movements reveal complex behaviours; however, there does not yet exist a protocol that is able to capture whisker movements and behaviours in a range of different species.
NEW METHOD
We develop a new protocol and make recommendations for measuring comparative whisker movements and behaviours. Using two set-ups - an enclosure camera set-up and a high-speed video set-up - we capture and measure the whisker movements of sixteen different captive mammal species from four different animal collections.
RESULTS
We demonstrate the ability to describe whisker movements and behaviours across a wide range of mammalian species. We describe whisker movements in European hedgehog, Cape porcupine, domestic rabbit, domestic ferret, weasel, European otter and red fox for the first time. We observe whisker movements in all the species we tested, although movement, positions and behaviours vary in a species-specific way.
COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S)
The high-speed video set-up is based on the protocols of previous studies. The addition of an enclosure video set-up is entirely new, and allows us to include more species, especially large and shy species that cannot be moved into a high-speed filming arena.
CONCLUSIONS
We make recommendations for comparative whisker behaviour studies, particularly incorporating individual and species-specific considerations. We believe that flexible, comparative behavioural protocols have wide-ranging applications, specifically to better understand links between the brain and complex behaviours.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36435328
pii: S0165-0270(22)00278-3
doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2022.109752
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
109752Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declarations of interest None.