The Navigation System of a Fiddler Crab

Abstract

By Cydney Chappelle, Biological Sciences

Advisor: John Layne

Abstract: My research involves the intersection between spatial orientation and psychophysics. Specifically, I am studying the navigation system by path integration of fiddler crabs. In order to understand the optokinetic response involved in their internal navigation system, I have to measure the accumulation of errors created by their trajectory 'back home' after they have left their burrow-the starting point of their journey. After a furrowing excursion made by the fiddler crab is recorded, the footage is evaluated using MATLAB. The eye and body movements made by the crab are converted into x and y coordinates.