Split a multi-day test in multiple trials

Aim

To acquire trials longer than the maximum duration that is tested at Noldus. See Cameras supported by EthoVision XT > Resolution, frame rate, and maximum trial duration.

Procedure

1.In the Trial Control Settings, remove the condition immediately before the Start track action box.

 

2.In the Trial Control Settings, set the maximum trial duration. For example 24 hours. See Control the end of tracking

tip  Set this time to a little less than 24 hours, for example 1439 min (= 24 h minus 1 min). The remaining minute is used as inter-trial interval (see below). You can also choose a shorter inter-trial interval if you like.

 

3.Choose Setup > Trial List. Add a number of trials that cover the total duration of the test for the subject.

▪example 1  One arena. Each subject is tested over five days. Therefore, add five trials for that subject.

▪example 2  Subjects in four PhenoTypers (arenas) are tested over five days. Add five trials. Each trial contains data of one day and the four arenas.

tip  Only add the trials for the current subject(s), not for the subjects that come next in the protocol. Because you will use the series of trials (see below), in most cases with a short inter-trial interval you won’t have time to clean the cages and release the next subject.

tip  Add a variable “Subject ID” to the Trial List, and enter the ID of the subjects to be tested. So you know which trials refer to which subject.

4.Choose Acquisition > Open Acquisition. Under Method, select Track all planned trials with an Inter-trial interval of 1 minute. This is done to make sure that EthoVision XT has the time to save the data. If you want to use a shorter time, test it beforehand.

 

5.Acquire the data.

6.In step 3, add the trials for the next subject(s), and repeat the procedure.

7.In the Data profile, group the trials based on the subject ID. This way you can analyze a multi-trial test as one trial. See Define groups of tracks