Abstract
Artificial electrical stimulation is one of the tools of neuroethology to investigate and probe a living neural system. By applying artificial inputs to the system, specific reactions can be observed and a model or hypothesis of the inner workings can often be deduced. The escape turn of the American cockroach, Periplaneta Americana (L.), is a well-known fixed reaction pattern in response to the appearance of a predator. Video analysis is one method used to collect quantitative data on the locomotion behavior, but here we have built a trackball device to measure the locomotion behavior mechanically. The major advantage of this method is to obtain locomotion parameters (angle, distance) easily and instantaneously, and to keep the insect immobile for easy access of stimulation and monitoring.
We analyze the locomotory reaction of the Periplaneta Americana to various electrical stimuli. The insect is placed on a light-weight styro-foam trackball which is connected to a computer. This allows to record the turning rate and the forward movement of the insect in response to electric antennal stimulation. Based on this data a simple mathematical model is established.
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References
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© 1998 Springer-Verlag London Limited
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Holzer, R., Shimoyama, I. (1998). Bio-robotic Systems Based on Insect Fixed Behavior by Artificial Stimulation. In: Shirai, Y., Hirose, S. (eds) Robotics Research. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-1580-9_38
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-1580-9_38
Publisher Name: Springer, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-1582-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-1580-9
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