Insect movement and social behavioristics research and analysis system

Abstract

The invention discloses an insect movement and social behavior research and analysis system. The system is characterized by comprising a camera for video acquisition, a bearing device for insect movement and a data processing module for analysis and research, the camera directly faces the bearing device to obtain a field background and an insect behavior video, and the data analysis module calculates and outputs insect behavioral characteristics based on insect position data obtained after the field background in the video is removed by software such as Ctrax and UMATracker on the basis of the recorded insect behavior video. According to the method, insect behavior characteristics are established according to insect position data obtained by means of digital camera shooting and the like, so that comprehensive interpretation of insect movement and social behaviors is provided, and support is provided for scientific research personnel to research the relationship between animal behaviors and experimental processing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of biomedical technology, and in particular relates to an insect movement and social behavior research and analysis system. Background Art

[0002] Insects have many advantages such as small size, fast reproduction, and easy breeding. In recent years, insects have been widely used in various behavioral studies such as movement, decision-making, aggression, learning, and courtship. The study of insect behavior has effectively supported the establishment of many neurological disease models (Parkinson's disease, autism, anxiety, etc.), aging models, and reproductive behavior models.

[0003] The currently disclosed animal behavior analysis systems have the following limitations: first, they are mainly used for rodent (mice / rats) behavior analysis. For example, in the invention patent application document with the authorization announcement number CN 109977768 A, rats and mice are used as the behavior analysis objects; in the invention patent application document with the authorization announcement number CN 108133737 A, rodents are used as the behavior analysis objects. Second, they mainly perform fixed behavior analysis. For example, in the invention patent application document with the authorization announcement number CN 109977768A, the analysis of the stiff state and fast running state of mice after stimulation is mainly supported; the invention patent with the authorization announcement number CN 109977768A mainly analyzes the disgust behavior of rats and mice; the invention patents with the authorization announcement numbers CN108133737A and CN 104523232 A mainly analyze the fear behavior of small animals; the invention patent with the authorization announcement number CN 105684935 A mainly analyzes the behaviors of animals such as eating, drinking, and jumping. Finally, compared with rodents, insects are smaller in size and cannot be tracked using the infrared-based method in the invention patent application document with authorization publication number CN108133737A, or the method of marking preset position points on the animal's body in the invention patent application document with authorization publication number CN108133737A. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides a new insect movement and social behavior research and analysis system, which aims to solve the problem of lack of complete behavior definition in the current insect behavior analysis field. The present invention establishes an insect behavior feature system based on insect position data to provide support for the analysis of insect behavior patterns.

[0005] The insect position data includes the three-dimensional position information of the insect in the field of view space, or the two-dimensional position information of the insect in the field of view space (ignoring the field of view depth information).

[0006] The insect behavioral characteristic system includes insect movement characteristics, space preference characteristics, space exploration behavior characteristics, and social behavior characteristics.

[0007] Specifically, the present invention discloses an insect movement and social behavior research and analysis system, the system comprising: a camera for video acquisition, a carrying device for insect activities, and a data processing module for analysis and research; the camera faces the carrying device to acquire the field of view background and insect behavior video, and the data analysis module uses Ctrax, UMATracker and other software to remove the field of view background in the video based on the recorded insect behavior video to obtain the insect position data, and calculate and output the insect behavioral characteristics.

[0008] Preferably, the insect behavioral characteristics include: insect movement characteristics, space preference characteristics, space exploration behavior characteristics, and social behavior characteristics.

[0009] Specifically, the insect movement characteristics include one or more of the following:

[0010] 1) Distance of insect movement:

[0011]

[0012] The movement displacement of the insect in each frame is obtained by comparing the distance between the insect position in the current frame video image and the position in the previous frame;

[0013] 2) Distance of insects moving at the edge of the field of view:

[0014]

[0015] 3) Distance of insect movement in the center of the field of view:

[0016]

[0017] 4) Proportion of insect activity duration:

[0018]

[0019] 5) Proportion of insect activity time at the edge of the field of view:

[0020]

[0021] The field of view is the range of insect activities in the recorded video;

[0022] 6) Proportion of insect activity duration in the center of the field of view:

[0023]

[0024] 7) Insect movement speed:

[0025]

[0026] 8) Movement speed of insects at the edge of the field of view:

[0027]

[0028] 9) Insect movement speed at the center of the field of view:

[0029]

[0030] 10) Maximum speed of insects:

[0031] Maximum speed of insects = max(insect movement speed)

[0032] 11) Maximum speed of insects at the edge of the field of view:

[0033] Maximum speed of insects at the edge of the field of view = max (speed of insects moving at the edge of the field of view)

[0034] 12) Maximum speed of insects in the center of the field of view:

[0035] The maximum speed of the insect at the center of the field of view = max (the speed of the insect at the center of the field of view)

[0036] 13) Number of insect activity stages:

[0037] The movement between two stops of insect movement is considered as one activity; the stop of insect movement means that the insect displacement is 0 in two consecutive frames of the video.

[0038] 14) Average duration of each insect activity:

[0039]

[0040] 15) The average distance traveled by insects in each activity:

[0041]

[0042] 16) Average straightness of insect activity tracks:

[0043] Average straightness of insect activity trajectory = linear regression determination coefficient of insect activity trajectory

[0044] 17) Average straightness of insect trajectories when they are active in the central area:

[0045]

[0046] 18) Average straightness of insect trajectories when they move in edge areas:

[0047]

[0048] 19) Average angular velocity of insect activity:

[0049]

[0050] 20) The average angular velocity of insects in the central area:

[0051]

[0052] 21) The average angular velocity of insects when they move in the edge area:

[0053]

[0054] 22) Maximum angular velocity of insect activity:

[0055]

[0056] 23) Maximum angular velocity of insects in the central area:

[0057]

[0058] 24) Maximum angular velocity of insects when moving in edge areas:

[0059]

[0060] 25) Average meander of insect activity:

[0061]

[0062] 26) Average meander of insects in the central area:

[0063]

[0064] 27) Average meander of insects in marginal areas:

[0065]

[0066] 28) Maximum meander of insect activity:

[0067]

[0068] 29) Maximum meander when insects are active in the central area:

[0069]

[0070] 30) Maximum meander when insects move in edge areas:

[0071]

[0072] Specifically, the insect space preference characteristics include one or more of the following:

[0073] 1) Distance between insect and center of field of view:

[0074] The distance between the insect and the center of the field of view = Average (the distance between the insect position and the center of the field of view in each frame of the video)

[0075] 2) The proportion of time the insect is at the edge of the field of view:

[0076]

[0077] 3) Proportion of insect edge movement distance:

[0078]

[0079] Specifically, the insect space exploration behavior characteristics include one or more of the following:

[0080] 1) Insect exploration efficiency:

[0081]

[0082] 2) Insect space exploration ratio:

[0083]

[0084] 3) Insect exploration repetition:

[0085] .

[0087] Specifically, the insect social behavior characteristics include one or more of the following:

[0088] 1) Insect acquaintance social index:

[0089]

[0090] 2) Social Distancing:

[0091] Social distance = average(min(distance from other insects))

[0092] 3) Social distance at the edge of the field of view:

[0093]

[0094] 4) Social distance at the center of the field of view:

[0095]

[0096] 5) Social distance during activities:

[0097]

[0098] 6) Rest and social distance:

[0099]

[0100] 7) Proportion of insect social time:

[0101]

[0102] 8) Proportion of social interaction time of insects at the edge of the visual field:

[0103]

[0104] 9) Proportion of social insects at the edge of the field of view:

[0105]

[0106] 10) Duration of social interaction of insects in the center of the visual field:

[0107]

[0108] 11) Proportion of social insects in the center of the field of view:

[0109]

[0110] 12) Proportion of social time of active insects:

[0111]

[0112] 13) Social activity ratio of insects:

[0113]

[0114] 14) Ratio of social time spent by resting insects:

[0115]

[0116] 15) Resting insect social ratio:

[0117]

[0118] 16) Proportion of insect social time during long periods of inactivity:

[0119]

[0120] 17) Proportion of insect social interaction during long periods of inactivity:

[0121]

[0122] 18) Total number of insect social interactions: count;

[0123] 19) Average duration of a single social interaction among insects:

[0124]

[0125] 20) Average number of insects that gather together during social activities:

[0126] The average number of insects that gather together during a social event = average(number of insects participating in the social event).

[0128] Specifically, in the insect acquaintance social index, if the distance between two insects is less than a set threshold and the duration of communication is greater than a set threshold, it is considered that communication occurs between the insects. The threshold setting is related to the insect species.

[0129] Beneficial effects of the present invention

[0130] The present invention establishes insect behavior characteristics based on insect position data obtained through digital photography and other means, thereby providing a comprehensive interpretation of insect movement and social behavior, and providing support for scientific researchers to study the relationship between animal behavior and experimental treatment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0131] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of obtaining insect trajectory information.

[0132] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of square field of view and circular field of view.

[0133] Figure 3 Data graph showing that wild-type fruit flies exhibit different behavioral patterns at the center and edge of their visual field.

[0134] Figure 4 Data graph showing the behavioral patterns of wild-type fruit flies gradually adapting to dark-light conditions under darkness and normal light.

[0135] Figure 5 Data graph showing the behavioral patterns of wild-type fruit flies changing over time during the twelve hours of the day. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0136] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with embodiments, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto:

[0137] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0138] The specific implementation of the present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments:

[0139] Embodiment 1: The analysis system of the embodiment of the present application is applied to the new insect movement and social behavior research. The input of the system is the trajectory information of the insect movement in the field of view. The insect behavior field of view is generally a transparent device. Through the video acquisition equipment (camera, etc.), the insect movement and social behavior are recorded to form an insect behavior video. After removing the field of view background in the video, the insect trajectory information is extracted, which can be used to construct the insect behavior index system of the present invention. Figure 1 The camera 3 is arranged just above the carrying device 2 to obtain the field of view background 5, the insects in the culture dish 1 are transferred to the carrying device 2, the insect behavior video 4 is obtained through the camera 3, and the insect trajectory 6 is obtained after removing the field of view background from the insect behavior video 4.

[0140] Example 2: The insect behavior field can be divided into square, circular or other shapes, such as Figure 2 Some insects, such as ants and fruit flies, have the habit of following walls and will crawl around the edge of the field of view. Therefore, we usually pay attention to the difference in insect behavior in the two areas of 100 in the center of the field of view and 200 at the edge of the field of view. When used to observe the response of insects to food, odors, and specific objects, we will also pay attention to the behavioral differences of insects in the calibrated specific area 300. Taking wild-type fruit flies as an example, they show different behavioral patterns at the edge and center of the field of view. The speed and angular velocity of fruit flies in the center of the field of view are higher than those at the edge of the field of view. In terms of sociality, fruit flies do not show differences in social distance between the center and edge of the field of view, but the proportion of insect socialization at the edge of the field of view is higher than that in the center of the field of view ( Figure 3 ).

[0141] Embodiment 3: The analysis system for new insect movement and social behavior research of the embodiment of the present application can be used to observe changes in insect behavior patterns during video recording. Figure 4 As shown in the figure, taking wild-type fruit flies as an example, in a normal light environment, during a 30-minute video observation, the angular velocity of the fruit flies and the proportion of their activity at the edge of the field of view remain basically stable in the early and late stages of the video. In contrast, in dark conditions, it takes about ten minutes for the fruit flies to adapt to the dark environment and reach an angular velocity and activity at the edge of the field of view equivalent to that in normal light.

[0142] Embodiment 3: The analysis system for new insect movement and social behavior research in the embodiment of the present application can also be used to observe the behavior changes of insects under the circadian rhythm. Figure 5 As shown, taking wild fruit flies as an example, the fruit fly behavior video was recorded once every hour during the 12 hours of the day. The total number of social interactions and movement distance of the fruit flies showed a V-shaped structure, that is, the fruit flies had more social and exercise behaviors in the morning and evening, and both social and exercise behaviors decreased accordingly at noon, showing obvious circadian rhythm characteristics.

[0143] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0144] The specific embodiments described herein are merely examples of the spirit of the present invention. Those skilled in the art may make various modifications or additions to the specific embodiments described or replace them in similar ways, but they will not deviate from the spirit of the present invention or exceed the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system for studying and analyzing insect movement and social behavior, characterized in that the system include: A camera for video acquisition, a carrier for insect activities, and a data processing module for analytical research; The camera faces the carrier device to obtain the field of view background and insect behavior video. The data analysis module obtains the insect position data after removing the field of view background in the recorded insect behavior video, and calculates and outputs the insect behavioral characteristics.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The insect behavioral characteristics include: insect movement characteristics, space preference characteristics, space exploration behavior characteristics, and social behavior characteristics.

3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that The insect movement characteristics include one or more of the following: 1) Distance of insect movement: Insect movement distance = ∑ insect movement displacement per frame The insect movement displacement in each frame is obtained by comparing the distance between the insect position in the current frame video image and the position in the previous frame; 2) Movement distance of insects at the edge of the field of view: 3) Distance of insect movement in the center of the field of view: 4) Proportion of insect activity duration: 5) Proportion of insect activity time at the edge of the field of view: The field of view is the range of insect activities in the recorded video; 6) Proportion of insect activity duration in the center of the field of view: 7) Insect movement speed: 8) Movement speed of insects at the edge of the field of view: 9) Insect movement speed at the center of the field of view: 10) Maximum speed of insects: Maximum speed of insects = max(insect movement speed) 11) Maximum speed of insects at the edge of the field of view: Maximum speed of insects at the edge of the field of view = max (speed of insects moving at the edge of the field of view) 12) Maximum speed of insects in the center of the field of view: The maximum speed of the insect at the center of the field of view = max (the speed of the insect at the center of the field of view) 13) Number of insect activity stages: The movement between two stops of insect movement is considered as one activity; the stop of insect movement means that the insect displacement is 0 in two consecutive frames of the video. 14) Average duration of each insect activity: 15) The average distance traveled by insects in each activity: 16) Average straightness of insect activity tracks: Average straightness of insect activity trajectory = linear regression determination coefficient of insect activity trajectory 17) Average straightness of insect trajectories when they are active in the central area: 18) Average straightness of insect trajectories when they move in edge areas: 19) Average angular velocity of insect activity: 20) The average angular velocity of insects in the central area: 21) The average angular velocity of insects when they move in the edge area: 22) Maximum angular velocity of insect activity: 23) Maximum angular velocity of insects in the central area: 24) Maximum angular velocity of insects when moving in edge areas: 25) Average meander of insect activity: 26) Average meander of insects in the central area: 27) Average meander of insects in marginal areas: 28) Maximum meander of insect activity: 29) Maximum meander when insects are active in the central area: 30) Maximum meander when insects move in edge areas:

4. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that The insect space preference characteristics include one or more of the following: 1) Distance between insect and center of field of view: The distance between the insect and the center of the field of view = Average (the distance between the insect position and the center of the field of view in each frame of the video) 2) The proportion of time the insect is at the edge of the field of view: 3) Proportion of insect edge movement distance:

5. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that The insect space exploration behavior characteristics include one or more of the following: 1) Insect exploration efficiency: 2) Insect space exploration ratio: 3) Insect exploration repetition:

6. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that The insect social behavior characteristics include one or more of the following: 1) Insect acquaintance social index: 2) Social Distancing: Social distance = average(min(distance from other insects)) 3) Social distance at the edge of the field of view: 4) Social distance at the center of the field of view: 5) Social distance during activities: 6) Rest and social distance: 7) Proportion of insect social time: 8) Proportion of social interaction time of insects at the edge of the visual field: 9) Proportion of social insects at the edge of the field of view: 10) Duration of social interaction of insects in the center of the visual field: 11) Proportion of social insects in the center of the field of view: 12) Proportion of social time of active insects: 13) Social activity ratio of insects: 14) Ratio of social time spent by resting insects: 15) Resting insect social ratio: 16) Proportion of insect social time during long periods of inactivity: 17) Proportion of insect social interaction during long periods of inactivity: 18) Total number of insect social interactions: count; 19) Average duration of a single social interaction among insects: 20) Average number of insects that gather together during social activities: The average number of insects that gather together during a social event = average(number of insects participating in the social event).

7. The system according to claim 6, characterized in that In the insect acquaintance social index, if the distance between two insects is less than a set threshold and the duration is greater than a set threshold, it is considered that communication occurs between the insects. The threshold setting is related to the insect species.

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