Automatic tracking method for multiple honeybees using backward-play movies

Abstract

In recent studies, researchers can easily record the

behaviors of animals by digital video cameras, which provide

high functionality at reasonable cost. However, it is a laborious

and time-consuming manual task for them to extract the useful

behavioral data from these videos. We recently proposed a

tracking method for unmarked multiple honeybees in a flat

arena, named the “K-Track” algorithm. The algorithm can

successfully identify and track nearly 90% of interaction cases of

targets. In this study, we proposed an improved method for the

existing K-Track algorithm by tracking results using backwardplay

movie. If the tracking results differed between the forward

and backward episodes, one of them had probably resulted from

correct tracking. Therefore, by comparing the forward and

backward trajectories of the same interaction, we assumed that

there is the potential for an increase in tracking accuracy. In the

experiments, K-Track using backward movies successfully

tracked four out of five situations that was failed by original KTrack

and we confirmed that the method has the potential of

improved tracking accuracy.