A combination of gyroscope and accelerometer for identifying alternative feeding behaviours in fish

Abstract

We examined whether we could identify the feeding behaviours of the trophic generalist fish Epinephelus ongus on different prey types (crabs and fish) using a data logger that incorporated a three-axis gyroscope and a three-axis accelerometer. Feeding behaviours and other burst behaviours, including escape responses, intraspecific interactions and routine movements, were recorded from six E. ongus individuals using data loggers sampling at 200 Hz, and were validated by simultaneously recorded video images. For each data-logger record, we extracted 5 s of data when any of the three-axis accelerations exceeded absolute 2.0 g, to capture all feeding behaviours and other burst behaviours. Each feeding behaviour was then identified using a combination of parameters that were derived from the extracted data. Using decision trees with the parameters, high true identification rates (87.5% for both feeding behaviours) with low false identification rates (5% for crab-eating and 6.3% for fisheating) were achieved for both feeding behaviours.

Pitching stability of diving seabirds during underwater locomotion: a comparison among alcids and a penguin

“…Recently, gyroscopes have been used to monitor the detailed 3D motions of animals [26,40] and to identify complex behaviours and body movements that have been difficult to study using only accelerometers and magnetometers [41,42]. In this study, we used a gyroscope to quantify the in situ angular velocity of diving seabirds to gain an understanding of their rotational stabilities.…”

Interpreting behaviors from accelerometry: a method combining simplicity and objectivity

“…; Kawabata et al. ) as well as continuous measurement of coarse‐scale behaviors such as flight, resting, swimming, and running (Shepard et al. ; Halsey et al.…”

“…These are typically determined through comparison with a source of validation such as video‐recorded images (Kawabata et al. ), or through subjective inspection of the data (Gómez Laich et al. ); in both cases such approaches are, therefore, largely study‐specific and potentially labor intensive.…”

“…Even for studies identifying finer‐scale behaviors and short‐lived events such as characteristics of limb movement during locomotion, identifying the coarse‐scale behaviors is often a necessary first step in analysis (Kawabata et al. ).…”

Using accelerometry to quantify prey attack and handling behaviours in piscivorous pike Esox lucius

“…The study further indicated that accelerometer technology can be applied to study handling times in settings where video‐observation technology is inadequate. In doing so, this study has expanded what is already known about the use of accelerometer technology in studies of foraging behaviour in fishes (Broell et al ., ; Brownscombe et al ., ; Kawabata et al ., ). Although, the method comes with limitations, it still provides the potential for detailing studies of predation in, for example, highly turbid or humic waters, as well as detailed recording of exact acceleration behaviour during prey handling.…”