Knowledge Base

Problem

A researcher wants to analyze animal locomotor behavior (e.g., zebrafish larvae) focusing on specific zones of interest or combinations of behavioral variables, beyond simple full-trial summaries.

Details

EthoVision XT's Data Profile system supports nested conditions that allow users to filter or segment data by zone, time interval, or behavioral state. This is useful for studies where behavior in a specific region (e.g., a thigmotaxis zone, a stimulus zone) is the primary dependent measure. Applies to zebrafish, rodent, and other species tracking across EthoVision XT versions.

Solution

1. Open EthoVision XT and go to Analysis > Data Profile.
2. Create a new Data Profile or edit an existing one.
3. To analyze behavior within a specific zone:
a. Add the parameter of interest (e.g., Distance Moved, Velocity).
b. Click the 'Nest' or 'Add Condition' option on that parameter.
c. Select 'In Zone' as the condition and choose the zone of interest from the dropdown.
d. The parameter will now only include data points where the animal was inside the selected zone.
4. To combine multiple variables or conditions, add additional nest levels (e.g., 'In Zone X' AND 'Moving').
5. To compare behavior across zones, add the same parameter multiple times, each nested with a different zone condition.
6. Save the Data Profile and calculate results in Statistics & Charts.
7. For visualization, use the Track visualization tools to display trajectory maps color-coded by speed or zone — these can complement the numerical output from the data profile.