Visual Communication and Species Recognition

尤兹博士和克拉克先生将研究视觉交流 行为及其在跳蛛物种识别中的作用， 有着发达的视觉。 将进行实验 为了研究形态学的相对重要性（形式，着色， 标记）和物种特异性行为模式（运动， 雄性求偶引起雌性回应的过程。 利用新开发的方法，尤茨博士和克拉克先生将 研究形态和行为的相互作用， 一种嗜盐蜘蛛Maevia inclemens的求爱， 在外表和行为上不同的不同的雄性形式。 这两种类型的雄性的求偶行为序列将 录像，数字化，并存储在电脑上。 形态 这两种变体的特征和行为模式将 然后用计算机/视频动画进行实验操作， 技术，并在微型电视上向雌性蜘蛛展示 卡位 雌性蜘蛛对不同的 这些计算机生成的视频图像，以及录像带， 真实的蜘蛛的研究 通过实验性地分离形式和行为， 他们在新的组合，Uetz博士和克拉克先生将能够 完全控制对雌性的刺激 （这是不可能与活的雄性蜘蛛），并确定 关键的视觉元素参与求爱这一独特的 蜘蛛 这些实验研究将使Uetz博士和Mr. 克拉克来检验关于动物交流及其 适应功能，并将有助于更好地了解 物种识别机制。 此外，发展 这种强大的新计算机辅助技术， 动物行为在许多领域都有巨大的潜力， 调查，包括配偶选择，竞争行为，视觉 感知和神经生理学。

Dr. Uetz and Mr. Clark will investigate visual communication behavior and its role in species recognition in salticid spiders, which have well-developed vision. Experiments will be performed to study the relative importance of morphology (form, coloration, markings) and species-specific behavior patterns (movement, sequence) of courting males in eliciting responses from females. Using a newly-developed method, Dr. Uetz and Mr. Clark will investigate the interaction of morphology and behavior in courtship of Maevia inclemens, a salticid spider that has two distinct male forms differing in appearance and behavior. Courtship behavior sequences of males of both types will be videotaped, digitized, and stored on the computer. Morphological characteristics and behavioral patterns of the two morphs will then be experimentally manipulated using computer/video animation techniques, and presented to female spiders on microtelevision screens. Responses of female spiders to various combinations of these computer-generated video images, as well as to videotapes of real spiders, will be studied. By experimentally separating form and behavior, and recombining them in novel combinations, Dr. Uetz and Mr. Clark will be able to have complete control over stimuli presented to the female (which is not possible with live male spiders), and to identify critical visual elements involved in courtship of this unique spider. These experimental studies will allow Dr. Uetz and Mr. Clark to test hypotheses about animal communication and its adaptive functions, and will contribute to better understanding of species-recognition mechanisms. In addition, the development of this powerful new computer-assisted technique for studying animal behavior has enormous potential for a number of areas of investigation, including mate choice, agonistic behavior, visual perception, and neurophysiology.