EthoVision XT

Data analysis

Graphs, tables, and heatmaps are a great way to showcase your results. However, integrated visualization of your data (tracks superimposed on the video file), can also be very helpful in the beginning steps of analysis, because it gives you a good feel for the data.

Visualizing your data

Additionally, when you are interested in certain behaviors such as body elongation or mobility, use the visualization function to fine-tune the thresholds for these behaviors.

Want to show others? With the built-in screen recording tool you can make a video of the integrated visualization.

EthoVision XT is the most widely applied video tracking software that tracks and analyzes the behavior, movement, and activity of any animal.

  • A cost-effective solution for all standard behavioral tests such as the Morris water maze and open field testing

  • High-throughput and high-content testing

  • Suitable for sophisticated test-protocols

ethovision morris water maze video tracking
 


High throughput tracking

Use multiple arenas for high-throughput testing. Here is a great example of tracking results of small aquatic species in multi-well plates (The Neurotox laboratory, Wlodkowic Lab, Australia). 

 


Data smoothing

In any tracking system, there are three sources of noise that potentially skew the values of dependent variables such as distance moved or velocity; system noise, outliers, and small movements of the animal (body wobble). EthoVision XT includes tools to smooth out your data.

 


ethovision data selection fish

Data selection

Data selection tools let you evaluate certain subsets of each trial. Selecting the data, for example, in which animals received a specific treatment. Or nest your data on time, behavior, or physiological state.

 


Analysis profile

The number of parameters for analysis is substantial, such as: velocity, turn angle, mobility, proximity, rotations, etc. Basic statistics are also provided, such as mean, variance, standard deviation, and standard error.

All external data integrated into your EthoVision XT project and trial control variables (lever pushing, lights on, door opening, etc.) can be analyzed in a similar (integrated) manner.

 
 


Free interval selection

Free interval selection is useful in answering questions like “How much time did the animal need to get 3 correct lever presses?” or when comparing the subjects’ behavior before and after the stimulus was presented.

ethovision free interval screenshot
 


Creating custom variables

Extract all the information you want from your tracking data, using JavaScript code to create your own dependent variables. For example, count the number of subjects in a certain zone, measure body length based on distance between nose and tail, or mark the time when more than 80% of the zones have been visited by you subject.

 


Customer quote

"EthoVision XT has allowed our group to significantly cut down the time spent analyzing behavior."

Dr. O. Fernández Gayol |Universitat Autònoma De Barcelona 

 


ethovision multi condition custom parameter

Build your own parameters

In a novel object test, you are interested in how animals explore objects. The proximity of the nose point to object is an indicator, but combining this with other parameters, such as animal movement and head direction, provides more accuracy. Combining these parameters creates a new “multi-condition variable”.

 


Automatic and batch analysis

After selecting which parts of your data need to be analyzed, and the independent variables you are interested in, EthoVision XT will automatically analyze your data according to these settings right after the trial has ended or, in the case of batch analysis, after the selected trials have been acquired.

  
 


Heatmaps

In addition to integrated visualization, a heatmap gives you an intuitive and unique view of your data. You can export these at high resolution (including a minimum-maximum scale) for use in presentations and publications.

two water maze heatmaps with scale blue background ethovision xt
 

Group statistics and charts

Compare the results between treatment groups by using graphs. You can organize and adjust the designs of these graphs and export them in any standard format (PNG, JPG, BMP, GIF).

Results are also presented in tables, of which you can adjust the layout. This is ideal if your statistical program requires a certain set-up of the data, you can organize and export your table accordingly.