The Matrix revisited: How to analyze the structure of behavior
L. Hemerik1, T. Bukovinszky2, R. Gols2, J.C. van Lenteren2 and L.E.M.
Vet2,3
1Biometris, Mathematical and Statistical Methods, Wageningen
University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
2Laboratory of Entomology, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen
University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
3Department of Multitrophic interactions, Netherlands Institute of Ecology,
Heteren, The Netherlands
Several methods are available for the analysis of first order behavioral
transition matrices in biological data. These methods analyze different
aspects of transition matrices, but a comprehensive framework for their
use is lacking. We analyzed parasitoid foraging behavior in different
environments.
The resulting complex data set was analysed using the following stepwise
procedure. With a test we detected the abrupt changes in the behavioral
records of all tested individuals. This served as a criterion for splitting
the behavioral records into two parts. For both parts Mantels test
was used to detect differences between first order transition matrices,
whereas the iterative proportional fitting method was used to find behavioral
flows that positively deviate from random transitions. In addition, we
detected hidden repetitive sequences with the package Theme
(PatternVision Ltd, Iceland).
We discuss the results from the example in a biological context and the
comprehensive use
of the different methods. We however, want to stress that an analysis
in which the timing of
behaviors is considered should always accompany an analysis like this
one.
Paper presented
at Measuring Behavior 2005
, 5th International Conference on Methods and Techniques
in Behavioral Research, 30 August - 2 September 2005, Wageningen, The
Netherlands.
© 2005 Noldus
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