We exposed rats to various virtual objects on screen and measured their target-oriented behavior using a deep learning algorithm. Rats show more and interactions with interactive object, which is dislocated by touching it, compared to static or randomly-moving objects. To mimic the situations that the target is running away like prey, we provide shrinking object in response to touching. Rats obviously spent more time in approaching and explorative behavior to shrinking object compared static or enlarging object. These results indicate that predators may detect an object as a target prey when it shows an evasive reaction to their movements. This would be an efficient strategy for finding optimal prey using the evolutionarily conserved prey-predator relationship. For this study, we collaborate with Prof. Daesoo Kim’s group from Dept. of Biological Sciences at KAIST.
Related publications
1. D Kim, Y Jeong, C Park, A Shin, K Min, S Jo, D Kim, Interactive virtual objects attract attention and induce exploratory behaviours in rats, Behavioural Brain Research, 392, August 2020 [PDF]
