Table 1

Parameters of locomotion in an illuminated small arena (1 × 1 m) and large arena (2 × 2 m). For most variables, values increased when stones were added or when arena size was increased. Bonferroni adjustment of p-value was calculated by P = 0.05/10 = 0.005. Mean (± SEM) are followed by superscript numerals that indicate the significantely different test groups (as appeared in the top row) in Tukey Honest Significant Difference (HSD) test.

Small arena
 Large arena



Empty (1)
 4 Stones (2)
 Empty (3)
 4 Stones (4)
 16 Stones (5)
 F45;p
Level of activity





     Traveled distance (m.)
 52.0 ± 9.7 2,4,5
 86.7 ± 8.81
 60.9 ± 9.55
 90.4 ± 9.71
 115.6 ± 7.31,3
 8.68; <0.0001
     Speed (m/sec)
 0.10 ± 0.022,3,5
 0.15 ± 0.041,5
 0.12 ± 0.024,5
 0.18 ± 0.021,3,5
 0.36 ± 0.121–4
 5.68; = 0.0012
Temporal Structure





     Stops
 87.0 ± 31.42,4,5
 228.6 ± 55.71,3,4
 51.2 ± 13.92,4,5
 146.9 ± 23.9 1–5
 235.8 ± 48.6 1,3,4
 7.15; = 0.0002
     # of trips
 18.5 ± 5.52,4,5
 41.4 ± 11.01,3
 12.2 ± 5.02,4,5
 38.5 ± 7.81,2,5
 74.7 ± 25.21,3,4
 5.81; = 0.001
     Stops/trip
 5.0 ± 0.6
 5.6 ± 0.4
 5.5 ± 1.2
 4.4 ± 0.6
 3.6 ± 0.3
 0.95; ns
     Trip length
 4.9 ± 1.43,5
 2.4 ± 0.43
 10.2 ± 2.31,2,4,5
 3.1 ± 0.63,5
 2.0 ± 0.31,3,4
 5.88; = 0.0009
     Inter-stop distance (m.)
 0.94 ± 0.22
 0.43 ± 0.06
 2.68 ± .1.14
 0.70 ± 0.09
 0.54 ± 0.06
 2.51;ns
Spatial Distribution





     Center stops (%)
 9.3 ± 1.52–5
 22.6 ± 4.91,5
 55.5 ± 30.81
 20.3 ± 1.91,5
 41.7 ± 2.81,2,4
 3.08; = 0.0277
     Center time (%)
 2.4 ± 1.12,4,5
 19.2 ± 6.11,3
 2.4 ± 1.12,4,5
 12.8 ± 3.91,3,5
 25.5 ± 7.11,3,4
 8.99; <0.0001
     Meander (deg/m)
 -1.87 ± 0.312
 -0.99 ± 0.362
 -1.52 ± 0.194,5
 -0.60 ± 0.163,5
 -0.46 ± 0.093,4
 7.68; <0.0002

Eilam BMC Ecology 2004 4:16   doi:10.1186/1472-6785-4-16