Evaluating the potential of artificial visual stimulus presentation in object search tasks for dogs
András Péter · Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem · 2017
ADATLAPOther artificial stimuli (e.g.dummies or models) are also characterized by the advantages of repeatability and stimulus control, however from the aspect of ease of use (production and presentation) images are superior.One should only consider how easy it is to take (digital) pictures or videos and present them via a large number of mediums (e.g.prints, optimal conditions (Landis 1954), however it can become lower than 10Hz in low light conditions (Hecht 1933).Diurnal and fast moving animals have typically high CFF as the tsetse fly (Glossina morsitans) with 200Hz (Miall 1978), while nocturnal species or animals living in low light environments have low CFF values, as the nocturnal gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) with 18Hz (Dodt 1961).Visual acuity is another factor that could affect perception of images.Animals with high visual acuity might not perceive the scene or object depicted by an image but only the building blocks of it (pixels, pigment dots, etc.).This is especially true if the animal is allowed to get close to the image or screen.Considering all the previously listed perceptual attributes it is clear that it is crucial to precisely know the parameters of visual perception of the target species when planning to employ images in an experiment.If the animal's visual perception is in the range of human perception (e.g.cannot distinguish more colors, does not have a higher CFF) than commercially available tools could suffice to create adequate images.However if the animal has perceptual abilities that exceeds that of humans then special equipment might be required.In case the