Investigation through Animal–Computer Interaction: A Proof-of-Concept Study for the Behavioural Experimentation of Colour Vision in Zoo-Housed Primates
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2024 |
Authors: |
Vinícius Donisete Lima Rodrigues Goulart, Robert John Young |
Publication/Journal: |
Animals |
Keywords: |
ACI, animal experimentation, animal welfare, animal-computer-interaction, behavioural research, colour vision, sensory ecology, zoo |
ISBN: |
2076-2615 |
Abstract:
Zoos are an important repository of animals, which have a wide range of visual systems, providing excellent opportunities to investigate many comparative questions in sensory ecology. However, behavioral testing must be carried out in an animal welfare-friendly manner, which is practical for zoo staff. Here, we present a proof-of-concept study to facilitate behavioral research on the sensory ecology of captive primates. A system consisting of a tablet computer and an automated feeder connected wirelessly was developed and presented to captive primate species to evaluate interactions with and without previous training. A color stimulus, analogous to the Ishihara test, was used to check the level of interaction with the device, supporting future studies on sensory ecology with zoo animals. Animals were able to use the system successfully and displayed signs of learning to discriminate between the visual stimuli presented. We identified no risk for small primates in their interactions with the experimental setup without the presence of keepers. The use of electronic devices should be approached with caution to prevent accidents, as a standard practice for environmental enrichment for larger animals (e.g., spider monkeys). In the long term, the system developed here will allow us to address complex comparative questions about the functions of different visual systems in captive animals (i.e., dichromatic, trichromatic, etc.).