Estimating the effect of tracking tag weight on insect movement using video analysis: A case study with a flightless orthopteran

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255117
• Publication Date: 2021-07-22T17:50:46Z
• Authors: Oto Kaláb; David Musiolek; Pavel Rusnok; Petr Hurtik; Martin Tomis; Petr Kočárek
• Keywords: Affect

In this study, we describe an inexpensive and rapid method of using video analysis identity tracking to measure the effects tag weight on insect movement. a laboratory experiment, assessed associated context-dependent movement, choosing temperature as factor known affect movement behavior. We recorded movements groups flightless adult crickets Gryllus locorojo (Orthoptera:Gryllidae) affected by no (control); light, medium, or heavy tags (198.7, 549.2, 758.6 mg, respectively); low, intermediate, high temperatures (19.5, 24.0, 28.3°C, respectively). Each individual in each group was weighed before recording for 3 consecutive days. The mean (± SD) mass expressed percentage body first 26.8 ± 3.7% with light tags, 72 11.2% medium 101.9 13.5% tags. found that influence strongly depended temperature, negative generally increased weight. At low nearly all properties were negatively influenced. intermediate temperatures, did not any properties. continuous 3-day load reduced average speed only Based our results, recommend researchers consider investigate possible conducting experiment order avoid obtaining biased results.