• Search Research Projects
  • Search Researchers
  • How to Use
  1. Back to previous page

A study of three-dimensional structure of mosquito swarming and its adaptive significance by the use of computer vision

Research Project

Project/Area Number 08640812
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field 生態
Research InstitutionMorioka college

Principal Investigator

IKAWA Terumi  Morioka College, Faculty of literature, Associate professor, 文学部, 助教授 (80212728)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) WATANABE Mamoru  Mie University, Faculty of education, Professor, 教育学部, 教授 (80167171)
Project Period (FY) 1996 – 1997
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 1997)
Budget Amount *help
¥2,200,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,200,000)
Fiscal Year 1997: ¥500,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000)
Fiscal Year 1996: ¥1,700,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,700,000)
KeywordsMosquitoes / Swarming / Three-dimensional measurement / Measuring system / Probabilistic model / Computer program / Adaptive significance / Behavioral ecology / 郡飛 / 動画像解析 / ビデオ
Research Abstract

The term swarm or swarming refers to the aggregation of small animals in motion. In Particular, it refers to the aggregation of the insects. Many species of mosquitoes are reported to swarm and copulate at the definite place and time of the day. We developed a new field method for reconstructing the three-dimensional positions of swarming mosquitoes by the use of computer vision. This method overcame certain inherent difficulties accompanied by conventional stereoscopic methods and is applicable to three-dimensional measurements of other insect species. Firstly, we constructed a probabilistic model for stereoscopy. Secondly, we automated the process of reconstructing of three-dimensional positions of mosquitoes, developing computer programs based on our model. Thirdly, we constructed a system for three-dimensional measurements of swarming mosquitoes in the field. Using the new measurement system, a field study was conducted to clarify the temporal and spatial features of swarms in the mosquito, Culex pipiens pallens Coquilett. Several environmental parameters were also investigated to assess their influence on swarming. Swarming was triggered by illumination intensity. The period of swarming was generally around 30-40 minutes. Wind velocity also appeared to influence swarm population. The number of mosquitoes at a swarming site varied continually, suggesting that individuals repeatedly left and entered several sites during the swarming period. The results of three-dimensional analyzes for the spatial coordinates of mosquitoes suggested that the size and shape of a swarm remained constant throughout each swarming period. The adaptive significance of mosquito swarms was discussed on the basis of the obtained results.

Report

(3 results)
  • 1997 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report Summary
  • 1996 Annual Research Report
  • Research Products

    (3 results)

All Other

All Publications (3 results)

  • [Publications] J.K.Parrish 編: "Animal groups in three dimensions" Cambridge University Press, 378 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1997 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] J.K.Parrish (Ed.): Animal groups in three dimensions. Cambridge University Press, 378 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1997 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] J.K.Parrish編: "Animal groups in three dimensions" Cambridge University Press, 378 (1997)

    • Related Report
      1997 Annual Research Report

URL: 

Published: 1996-04-01   Modified: 2016-04-21  

Information User Guide FAQ News Terms of Use Attribution of KAKENHI

Powered by NII kakenhi