Biological Basis of the Code

The code provided appears to be part of a computational model aimed at understanding the visual perception of mantises, specifically how they perceive depth and azimuth using their binocular vision. Here's a breakdown of the biological elements represented in the code:

Binocular Vision in Mantises

The biological system being modeled here is binocular vision, which allows certain species to perceive depth based on the differences between the views from their left and right eyes. Mantises are known for having highly specialized binocular vision systems that help them accurately judge distances when hunting prey, even showing the ability for stereoscopic vision—a capability not common in insects.

Anatomy and Parameters

• Interocular Distance (I): The parameter MantisInterocularMm represents the distance between the mantis' eyes. This anatomical feature is crucial for calculating binocular disparity, the difference in image location of an object seen by the left and right eyes, which the brain uses to extract depth information.

• Distance to Screen (V): The parameter ScreenDistanceMm represents the distance from the mantis to the object or screen being viewed. This mirrors experimental setups where mantises' responses to visual stimuli are observed.

Visual Perception Modeling

The code models how mantises perceive objects with different azimuths (angles from the straight-ahead view) and distances using a grid of isolines:

• Iso-Azimuth and Iso-Distance Lines: The isolines represent lines of constant azimuth and lines of constant perceived distance, respectively. These are visual representations of how different visual angles and distances would appear in the mantis's field of view, given their unique binocular arrangement.

Tangent and Angle Calculations

• Angular Calculations: The model uses the tangent and arctangent functions (tand and atand) extensively, as these are key in converting between linear measurements (such as differences in images on the two retinas) and angular measures (like azimuth). These calculations are central to modeling the perception of three-dimensional space through binocular disparities.

Biological Modeling Purpose

In essence, the code simulates the visual scene as perceived by a mantis, accounting for how different positions and distances would translate into binocular disparities. By understanding these visual cues through such computational models, researchers can gain insight into how mantises interact with their environment, particularly in hunting scenarios.

This piece of code, therefore, represents an intersection of computational modeling and neuroethology, providing a framework to delve deeper into the intricacies of mantis vision and their stereoscopic capabilities.