Computer-aided studies of vision in crabs

Abstract

A system for the back projection of computer-generated visual images onto a screen or screens that cover 240° of the horizontal visual field is described. Its applicability for the study of crab vision is tested by comparing the frequency response of the optokinetic response of the land crab, Cardisoma guanhumi, to sinusoidal oscillation of computer-generated striped patterns and a real striped drum. Significant differences were observed only at the low end of the frequency spectrum. The flexibility of computer-generated visual stimulation and its advantages for the study of optic flow are illustrated by experiments that: (a) demonstrate how well crabs separate the translational and rotational components of optic flow by showing compensatory eye movements to only the latter; (b) show that the ability to compensate for rotation is not impaired by combinations of rotation and translation; (c) show that motion parallax cues are used in addition to previously-described global cues for making the distinction between rotation and translation. Finally, the use of these methods in a successful search for visual interneurones sensitive to optic flow stimuli is demonstrated for the shore crab, Carcinus maenas.