Group

Definition

A discrete (state event) variable that is scored when the focal subject is in contact with one or more subjects.

Calculation

EthoVision XT uses the events of type Contact stored in the Live Mouse Tracker database.

▪Group size 2 is scored when the focal subject is contact with only one subject. If the animal is in contact with more than one animal the event is not scored.

▪Group size 3 is scored when the focal subject is in contact with only two other subjects to form a group of three animals.

▪Group size 4 is scored when the focal subject is in contact with three other subject to form a group of four animals.

EthoVision XT splits the results depending on who forms each group. For example A can form groups of 2 subjects, resulting in groups AB, AC and AD. The overall results (AC+AC+AD) are also shown.

How to specify Group

1.Open an Analysis profile and in the Dependent Variables panel, under Live Mouse Tracker, click the Add button next to Group.

2.Specify the Group size.

3.Complete the procedure to add the variable to the Analysis profile. See Calculate statistics: procedure

4.If you wish to have the results for all group sizes in one table, repeat the steps above to add a total of three Group variables, one for each group size.

Applications

You can use Group variable to quantify the tendency of subjects to form groups. For example, a mouse model of social deficit may show reduced time spent in groups.