# Tracked features

Aim

To specify which feature of the subject body is tracked. This choice affects the X,Y coordinates resulting in a
Track.

Procedure

1.Choose Setup > Experiment Settings.

2.Under Tracked Features choose the option that applies to your experiment.

Center-point detection

To track only the geometric center of the subject detected (or the part of its body being detected). For example, in an open field or Morris water maze test.

Center-point, nose-point and tail-base detection

Tracking the nose-point is essential in, for example, a Novel Object Recognition test or in a Social interaction test to determine how often and how long your subject touches the object of interest or follows and interacts with the other subject.

Also select this option

▪When you track two or more rodents per arena, marked with colors.

▪When you want to use the Behavior Recognition function.

Color marker tracking (treat marker as center point)

If you choose this option, EthoVision XT will only detect the color marker, and track its geometric center. EthoVision XT won’t extract the position of body points and any information about the subject’s body posture.

Choose this option for social interaction tests where you do not need to track nose and tail base (e.g. color-marked insects or fish).