pathtrackr: An r package for video tracking and analysing animal movement

Techniques for visualising and analysing animal movement patterns are widely used in behavioural studies. While commercial options exist for analysing animal movement via video, the cost of these is often prohibitive. To meet the need for an efficient and cost-effective video tracking and analysis tool, we have developed the pathtrackr package for the open-source programming environment r. The pathtrackr package allows for an automated and consolidated workflow, from video input to statistical output (with addition of the open-source FFmpeg application), of an animal's movement. The software tracks a single animal at a time across a variety of visual contexts, notably heterogenous backgrounds and variable lighting, and can deal with localised background movement that does not overlap with the animal. The software does not need training like many other solutions. We also include diagnostic tools in the package for troubleshooting. Here, we provide an overview of the package and example workflow for using its various functions. Validation with simulated data shows that pathtrackr provides very accurate results, at the same time removing observer subjectivity and greatly reducing data collection times.