anyFish 2.0: An open-source software platform to generate and share animated fish models to study behavior
Spencer J. Ingley,
Mohammad Rahmani Asl,
Chengde Wu,
Rongfeng Cui,
Mahmoud Gadelhak,
Wen Li,
Ji Zhang,
Jon Simpson,
Chelsea Hash,
Trisha Butkowski,
Thor Veen,
Jerald B. Johnson,
Wei Yan,
Gil G. Rosenthal
Affiliations
Spencer J. Ingley
Evolutionary Ecology Laboratories, Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA; Correspondence to: 401 WIDB, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA. Tel.: +1 352 278 2705; fax: +1 801 422 0090.
Mohammad Rahmani Asl
Department of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Chengde Wu
Department of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Rongfeng Cui
Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Mahmoud Gadelhak
Department of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Wen Li
Department of Computer Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Ji Zhang
Department of Computer Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Jon Simpson
Department of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Chelsea Hash
Lively Disposition, Cohoes, NY, USA
Trisha Butkowski
Department of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Thor Veen
The Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, One University Station C0990, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
Jerald B. Johnson
Evolutionary Ecology Laboratories, Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA; Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
Wei Yan
Department of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Gil G. Rosenthal
Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Experimental approaches to studying behaviors based on visual signals are ubiquitous, yet these studies are limited by the difficulty of combining realistic models with the manipulation of signals in isolation. Computer animations are a promising way to break this trade-off. However, animations are often prohibitively expensive and difficult to program, thus limiting their utility in behavioral research. We present anyFish 2.0, a user-friendly platform for creating realistic animated 3D fish. anyFish 2.0 dramatically expands anyFish’s utility by allowing users to create animations of members of several groups of fish from model systems in ecology and evolution (e.g., sticklebacks, Poeciliids, and zebrafish). The visual appearance and behaviors of the model can easily be modified. We have added several features that facilitate more rapid creation of realistic behavioral sequences. anyFish 2.0 provides a powerful tool that will be of broad use in animal behavior and evolution and serves as a model for transparency, repeatability, and collaboration. Keywords: Animal communication, Animation, Video playback, Teleostei
