Illusory surfaces affect the integration of local motion signals

A 2IFC paradigm was used to measure speed discrimination thresholds for pairs of Gabor patches. When one of these patches was phenomenally placed over an illusory surface (IS), we observed higher thresholds relative to control conditions without ISs. Additional controls demonstrated that this effect was due to the placement of the patch on a different phenomenal depth plane rather than to the mere presence of an IS. We conclude that (i) ISs can affect the long-range integration of local motion signals, and (ii) long-range motion integration obeys a coplanarity principle.