Visual Perception in Jumping Spiders (Araneae,Salticidae) A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biology at the University of Canterbury by Yinnon Dolev University of Canterbury 2016 Table of Contents Abstract.............................................................................................................................................................................. i Acknowledgments .......................................................................................................................................................... iii Preface ............................................................................................................................................................................. vi Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2: Innate pattern recognition and categorisation in a jumping Spider ........................................................... 9 Abstract ....................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................ 11 Methods ...................................................................................................................................................................... 13 General .................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Stimuli ..................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Do jumping spiders view abstract images of prey elements as prey? .................................................................... 15 Do jumping spiders view abstract images as their preferred prey? ....................................................................... 19 Data Analysis ........................................................................................................................................................... 19 Results ......................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Do jumping spiders view abstract images of prey elements as prey? .................................................................... 19 Do jumping spiders view abstract images as their preferred prey? ....................................................................... 22 Discussion .................................................................................................................................................................... 23 References .................................................................................................................................................................. 26 Chapter 3: Biological relevance affects object recognition in jumping spiders .......................................................... 29 Abstract ....................................................................................................................................................................... 30 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................ 31 Methods ...................................................................................................................................................................... 33 General .................................................................................................................................................................... 33 Multi-choice experiment ......................................................................................................................................... 35 Two-choice test ....................................................................................................................................................... 36 Data Analysis ........................................................................................................................................................... 37 Results ......................................................................................................................................................................... 38 Discussion .................................................................................................................................................................... 42 References .................................................................................................................................................................. 45 Chapter 4: Retinal image scanning and active vision in jumping spiders .................................................................... 47 Abstract ....................................................................................................................................................................... 48 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................ 49 Methods ...................................................................................................................................................................... 53 Results ......................................................................................................................................................................... 55 Scanning frame analysis ......................................................................................................................................... 56 Within species comparisons of scanning distance ................................................................................................. 57 Within stimulus comparisons of scanning distance ............................................................................................... 57 Bar .......................................................................................................................................................................... 57 Square .................................................................................................................................................................... 59 Circle ....................................................................................................................................................................... 59 Two circles ............................................................................................................................................................... 62 Eyes ........................................................................................................................................................................ 62 Salticid ..................................................................................................................................................................... 65 Within species comparisons across stimuli ............................................................................................................. 67 Discussion .................................................................................................................................................................... 72 References .................................................................................................................................................................. 75 Chapter 5: Expectations and reality: The effects of visual priming on retinal scanning motion ................................ 78 Abstract ....................................................................................................................................................................... 79 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................ 80 Methods ...................................................................................................................................................................... 83 Results ......................................................................................................................................................................... 87 Discussion .................................................................................................................................................................... 99 References ................................................................................................................................................................ 104 Chapter 6: Out of its depth: A reassessment of salticid visual depth judgements ................................................... 107 Abstract ..................................................................................................................................................................... 108 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................