Active vision during prey-capture in wild marmoset monkeys

Abstract

Here, we examined prey-capture in wild common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) to explicate the active role of primate vision for high-precision, goal-directed motor actions in challenging natural environments. We observed distinct marmoset hunting strategies that each relied on the close integration of visual processes and dynamic biomechanical motor movements, but differed based on several factors including prey size/speed, substrate, and their relative distance to the prey. Marmoset positional behavior in these complex arboreal settings often involves extending the body, including inversions, while relying on vision to guide prey capture. Applying markerless pose estimation technology, analyses revealed details of how primate vision both guides and corrects rapid motor actions in real-time during prey-capture in the wild. These findings illustrate the significance of active vision during primate ethological behaviors in response to the very challenges the visual system evolved to solve.

A binocular perception deficit characterizes prey pursuit in developing mice

“… 11 , 12 In particular, the complex visual processing required for mice, other rodents and primates to capture prey is an ideal natural context to investigate visual system circuit development as related to object identification, visual search and determining stimulus salience and stimulus pursuit. 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 Specifically, prey pursuit entails complex visual control over motor movements which requires accurate spatial localization of targets and predictive coding to be successful. 15 , 17 , 18 There is also evidence that juvenile mammals and barn owls must have adequate time to practice the behaviors needed for prey capture to survive in the wild.…”

“… 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 Specifically, prey pursuit entails complex visual control over motor movements which requires accurate spatial localization of targets and predictive coding to be successful. 15 , 17 , 18 There is also evidence that juvenile mammals and barn owls must have adequate time to practice the behaviors needed for prey capture to survive in the wild. 19 , 20 In addition, larval zebrafish demonstrate remarkable plasticity in prey capture behavior that requires increasing integration between the tectum (homologous to the SC) and forebrain circuitry.…”

A binocular perception deficit characterizes prey pursuit in developing mice

“…Studying the development of innate visual behaviors is a particularly fruitful approach to identifying the causal relationship between highly conserved visual behavior and perception and the structural and functional refinement of visual neural circuits 11,12 . In particular, the complex visual processing required for mice, other rodents and even primates to capture prey is an ideal natural context to investigate fundamental and conserved functions of the visual system and its development [13][14][15] . Key behaviors and perceptions deployed during this evolutionarily important behavior include object identification, search and pursuit 13,15,16 .…”

“…In particular, the complex visual processing required for mice, other rodents and even primates to capture prey is an ideal natural context to investigate fundamental and conserved functions of the visual system and its development [13][14][15] . Key behaviors and perceptions deployed during this evolutionarily important behavior include object identification, search and pursuit 13,15,16 . Pursuit especially encompassing complex visual control of motor movements that require spatial precision and predictive coding to yield desired results 15,17,18 .…”

“…Key behaviors and perceptions deployed during this evolutionarily important behavior include object identification, search and pursuit 13,15,16 . Pursuit especially encompassing complex visual control of motor movements that require spatial precision and predictive coding to yield desired results 15,17,18 . There is also evidence that juveniles must have adequate time to practice the behaviors needed for prey capture in order to survive in the wild 19,20 .…”