Detailed prospecting in dead-reckoning in insect navigation

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Project objective

Research objectives and content Dead-reckoning is one of the principal navigational strategies employed by insects to reach a familar place. The animal has an internal vector which defines the distance and direction of the goal from its starting point This vectorial information is either computed on line" through path integration during the previous journey from goal to starting point or it is recalled from long-term memory. On a journey controlled through dead-reckoning the insect uses biological compasses lo adjust its path. However. the details of moment control are not well understood. Part of the proposed project is to investigate in detail how ants use celestial and magnetic compasses in guiding their journey. We will also investigate the use of visual scenes in . the recall of memorised movement vectors. Lastly. we will investigate the path integration strategies that ants use when foraging within a complex environment. Is just a single record made Or the outward path or do ants divide the path into sequence of vectors? Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact) The aim of the project is a better understanding of dead-reekoning at a behavioural and a computational Ievel. Although of great importance in navigation and much studied there remain many uncertainties. Our ultimate aim and that of many other laboratories is to understand navigation in sufficient detail that robots can be constructed which will navigate with the precision and flexibility shown by insects. The increased understanding of dead-reckoning obtained in this project should contribute to this endeavour. Our ultimate aim and that of many other laboratories is to understand navigation in sufficient detail that robots can be constructed which will navigate with the precision and flexibility shown by insects. "

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX · BRIGHTONCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
• Not availableCity levelFrance

Links

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