A microcomputer-based system for real-time analysis of animal movement.

A microcomputer-based video system for tracking, recording, and analyzing the movement of animals in two dimensions on variegated background in real-time has been developed and validated, both mechanically and with moving animals. Hardware and software (donationware) costs are low. Specimens visualized as small as 3 pixels long may be tracked in an arena that is 240 x 320 pixels in size. The results of tracking a mechanical moving spot are compared with a theoretical circular path. Comparisons between frame-by-frame human observation and computer generated X-Y coordinates are also presented. Applications of the tracking system include insect toxicology and pheromone bioassay, vertebrate locomotion studies, and basic research on taxes and kineses.