Animals

Editorial

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6 pages, 205 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Ethics and Invertebrates: The Problem Is Us

by Jennifer A. Mather

Animals 2023, 13(18), 2827; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13182827 - 6 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1500

Abstract

In the last few decades, science has begun to make great strides at understanding how varied, fascinating, and intelligent invertebrate animals are. Because they are poorly known, the invertebrates that make up about 98% of the animals on the planet have been overlooked. [...] Read more.

In the last few decades, science has begun to make great strides at understanding how varied, fascinating, and intelligent invertebrate animals are. Because they are poorly known, the invertebrates that make up about 98% of the animals on the planet have been overlooked. Because they are seen as both simple and unattractive, children and their teachers, as well as the general public, do not think they need care. Because until recently we did not know they can be both intelligent and sensitive—bees can learn from each other, butterflies can navigate huge distances, octopuses are smart, and lobsters can feel pain—we have to give them the consideration they deserve. This collection of papers should help us to see how the lives of invertebrates are tightly linked to ours, how they live, and what they need in terms of our consideration and care. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Invertebrate Welfare)

Research

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11 pages, 624 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Invisible Invertebrates: The Welfare of Invertebrates in Public Aquaria

by Kerry Perkins

Animals 2023, 13(23), 3620; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13233620 - 23 Nov 2023

Viewed by 848

Abstract

Awareness of welfare issues within animal collections is increasing as information becomes more accessible for staff and the public. A knowledge gap remains when considering the welfare of invertebrates, particularly when housed in public aquaria. TripAdvisor comments were analyzed for 485 worldwide aquariums. [...] Read more.

Awareness of welfare issues within animal collections is increasing as information becomes more accessible for staff and the public. A knowledge gap remains when considering the welfare of invertebrates, particularly when housed in public aquaria. TripAdvisor comments were analyzed for 485 worldwide aquariums. The public focused on anthropogenic features or charismatic organisms within collections. Invertebrate welfare was only presented in 18% of negative welfare comments compared with the 51% of represented vertebrates and 31% of negative general welfare comments. The UK and USA reported a greater number of perceived invertebrate welfare issues. Greater dissemination of information between aquarists and scientists should be encouraged to drive welfare standards and improve husbandry. In addition, incorporating input from invertebrate aquarists while utilizing welfare toolkits are vital for improving overall standards if we are to have greater representation of invertebrate welfare in public aquaria. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Invertebrate Welfare)

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8 pages, 1114 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Use of Isoflurane and Adjunctive Magnesium Chloride Provides Fast, Effective Anaesthetization of Octopus vulgaris

by Anna Di Cosmo, Valeria Maselli, Emanuela Cirillo, Mariangela Norcia, Heethaka K. S. de Zoysa, Gianluca Polese and William Winlow

Animals 2023, 13(22), 3579; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13223579 - 20 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1069

Abstract

A wide variety of substances have been used to anaesthetise invertebrates, but many are not anaesthetics and merely incapacitate animals rather than preventing pain. In essence, the role of an ideal general anaesthetic is to act as a muscle relaxant, an analgesic, an [...] Read more.

A wide variety of substances have been used to anaesthetise invertebrates, but many are not anaesthetics and merely incapacitate animals rather than preventing pain. In essence, the role of an ideal general anaesthetic is to act as a muscle relaxant, an analgesic, an anaesthetic, and an amnesic. To achieve all these properties with a single substance is difficult, and various adjuvants usually need to be administered, resulting in a cocktail of drugs. In a clinical setting, the vast majority of patients are unaware of surgery being carried out and have no memory of it, so they can claim to have felt no pain, but this is much more difficult to demonstrate in invertebrates. Here, we show that 1% MgCl_2, a muscle relaxant_, is a useful adjuvant for the clinical anaesthetic isoflurane on Octopus vulgaris when applied alone in seawater for 10 min before the clinical anaesthetic. After this, full anaesthesia can be achieved in 5 min using 1% isoflurane insufflated into the saline still containing MgCl₂. Full recovery takes place rapidly in about 10 to 15 min. The depth of anaesthesia was monitored using changes in respiratory rate, chromatophore pattern, and withdrawal movements of the arms and siphon. This methodology reduces stress on the animal and minimises the quantity of anaesthetic used. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Invertebrate Welfare)

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20 pages, 4696 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Welfare of Captive Group-Housed Cockroaches, Gromphadorhina oblongonota

by Danielle Free and Sarah Wolfensohn

Animals 2023, 13(21), 3351; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13213351 - 27 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1591

Abstract

The welfare of invertebrates under human care is of growing concern, particularly with the increasing interest in insect farming as an environmentally sustainable means of producing food. Additionally, individual welfare monitoring systems can be time-consuming and impractical for larger groups, particularly when individual [...] Read more.

The welfare of invertebrates under human care is of growing concern, particularly with the increasing interest in insect farming as an environmentally sustainable means of producing food. Additionally, individual welfare monitoring systems can be time-consuming and impractical for larger groups, particularly when individual animals are difficult to identify. It is, therefore, imperative to develop a validated system for monitoring terrestrial invertebrate welfare at a group level. The Animal Welfare Assessment Grid (AWAG) is an objective welfare-monitoring tool that has been approved for use with a wide range of species. This study modified the AWAG for large group-level welfare assessments and successfully trialled it on a terrestrial invertebrate species, a group of captive male Gromphadorhina oblongonota. The modified template evaluated the group’s welfare by scoring changes to 12 factors that could be tracked over time. The results highlight that the welfare of G. oblongonota is likely to be influenced by environmental and social factors, and inform practical improvements in G. oblongonota care that will result in improved welfare. The findings also demonstrate an efficient way to assess the welfare of invertebrates at the group level, and given the recent UK legislation (Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill, 2022) plus the emerging interest in invertebrate farming, our findings hold timely significance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Invertebrate Welfare)

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14 pages, 2257 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Artificial Light at Night on Fitness-Related Traits of Sea Urchin (Heliocidaris crassispina)

by Xiuwen Xu, Zexianghua Wang, Xiuqi Jin, Keying Ding, Jingwen Yang and Tianming Wang

Animals 2023, 13(19), 3035; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13193035 - 27 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1701

Abstract

Limited data are available regarding the effects of elevated coastal artificial light at night (ALAN) on intertidal echinoderms. In this study, we investigated the behavioral, morphological, and physiological responses of the sea urchin (Heliocidaris crassispina) after continuous exposure to ALAN at [...] Read more.

Limited data are available regarding the effects of elevated coastal artificial light at night (ALAN) on intertidal echinoderms. In this study, we investigated the behavioral, morphological, and physiological responses of the sea urchin (Heliocidaris crassispina) after continuous exposure to ALAN at light intensities of 0.1, 300, and 600 Lux for 6 weeks. Our findings revealed that ALAN at 300 Lux substantially reduced food consumption, Lantern weight, and gonadosomatic index (GSI). On the other hand, ALAN at 600 Lux notably prolonged the righting and covering response times and elevated the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio, while concurrently decreasing food consumption, body weight, Lantern weight, GSI, and Pax6 gene expression. These results indicated that continuous exposure to ALAN could cause an adverse effect on fitness-related traits, including behavioral responses, growth, reproductive performance, and photoreception of sea urchins. The present study provides new insights on the impact of light pollution on echinoderms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Invertebrate Welfare)

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15 pages, 3011 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Negative Welfare Measures for Wild Invertebrates: The Case for Octopuses

by Michaella P. Andrade, Charles Morphy D. Santos, Mizziara M. M. De Paiva, Sylvia L. S. Medeiros, C. E. O’Brien, Françoise D. Lima, Janaina F. Machado and Tatiana S. Leite

Animals 2023, 13(19), 3021; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13193021 - 26 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1764

Abstract

Welfare metrics have been established for octopuses in the laboratory, but not for octopuses living in the wild. Wild octopuses are constantly exposed to potentially harmful situations, and the ability to assess the welfare status of wild octopuses could provide pertinent information about [...] Read more.

Welfare metrics have been established for octopuses in the laboratory, but not for octopuses living in the wild. Wild octopuses are constantly exposed to potentially harmful situations, and the ability to assess the welfare status of wild octopuses could provide pertinent information about individuals’ health and species’ resilience to stressors. Here, we used underwater photos and videos to identify injuries and stress-related behaviors in wild Octopus insularis in a variety of contexts, including interacting with fishermen, interacting with other octopuses and fish, proximity to predators, in den, foraging, and in senescence. We adapted established metrics of octopus welfare from the laboratory to these wild octopuses. In addition to observing all of the stress measures, we also identified two previously unknown measures associated with decreased welfare: (1) a half white eye flash and (2) a half-and-half blotch body pattern. More than half of the individuals analyzed had arm loss, and almost half of the individuals had skin injuries. We also observed that irregular chromatophore expression and abnormal motor coordination were associated with interactions with fishermen. This is the first study to apply measures of welfare from the laboratory to wild octopuses. Our results may also aid in the identification of welfare measures for other wild invertebrates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Invertebrate Welfare)

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Review

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17 pages, 1382 KiB

Open AccessReview

Ethical Considerations for Echinoderms: New Initiatives in Welfare

by Augusto César Crespi-Abril and Tamara Rubilar

Animals 2023, 13(21), 3377; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13213377 - 31 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1669

Abstract

This paper explores the ethical considerations surrounding research on echinoderms, a group of invertebrates that has recently garnered attention in the scientific community. The importance of responsible animal handling and the need for an ethical framework that encompasses echinoderms are emphasized. The 3Rs [...] Read more.

This paper explores the ethical considerations surrounding research on echinoderms, a group of invertebrates that has recently garnered attention in the scientific community. The importance of responsible animal handling and the need for an ethical framework that encompasses echinoderms are emphasized. The 3Rs principle, advocating for the replacement of conscious living vertebrates with non-sentient material in research, is discussed as a guiding tool in current animal research practices. As invertebrates are generally classified as non-sentient animals, the replacement dimension tends to favor them as prevalent models in experimental research. While it currently lacks the means to assess the mental states of invertebrates, there is undeniable evidence of social behavior in many species, suggesting that a lack of interactions with these organisms could potentially adversely affect their wellbeing. In the last few years, considerable progress has been made in developing an ethical framework that takes invertebrates into account, particularly cephalopods, crustaceans, and echinoderms. In this context, we discuss the development of a broader conceptual framework of 5Rs that includes responsibility and respect, which may guide practices ensuring welfare in echinoderms, even in the absence of any particular normative. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Invertebrate Welfare)

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20 pages, 528 KiB

Open AccessReview

Behavioural Indicators of Pain and Suffering in Arthropods and Might Pain Bite Back?

by Robert W Elwood

Animals 2023, 13(16), 2602; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13162602 - 12 Aug 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2223

Abstract

Pain in response to tissue damage functions to change behaviour so that further damage is minimised whereas healing and survival are promoted. This paper focuses on the behavioural criteria that match the function to ask if pain is likely in the main taxa [...] Read more.

Pain in response to tissue damage functions to change behaviour so that further damage is minimised whereas healing and survival are promoted. This paper focuses on the behavioural criteria that match the function to ask if pain is likely in the main taxa of arthropods. There is evidence consistent with the idea of pain in crustaceans, insects and, to a lesser extent, spiders. There is little evidence of pain in millipedes, centipedes, scorpions, and horseshoe crabs but there have been few investigations of these groups. Alternative approaches in the study of pain are explored and it is suggested that studies on traumatic mating, agonistic interactions, and defensive venoms might provide clues about pain. The evolution of high cognitive ability, sensory systems, and flexible decision-making is discussed as well as how these might influence the evolution of pain-like states. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Invertebrate Welfare)

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12 pages, 724 KiB

Open AccessReview

It Is Not Only Data—Freshwater Invertebrates Misused in Biological Monitoring

by Paweł Koperski

Animals 2023, 13(16), 2570; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13162570 - 9 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1159

Abstract

The article presents and discusses the issues of the use of free-living invertebrates to assess the ecological status of freshwater environments with different methods of biological monitoring. Invertebrates are excluded from ethical consideration in the procedures of environmental protection, which results in the [...] Read more.

The article presents and discusses the issues of the use of free-living invertebrates to assess the ecological status of freshwater environments with different methods of biological monitoring. Invertebrates are excluded from ethical consideration in the procedures of environmental protection, which results in the killing of many more individuals during sampling than necessary. Biomonitoring is used as a routine method for environmental protection that results in the cruel death of even millions of aquatic animals annually. In many cases, the mortality of animals used in such types of activities has been shown as excessive, e.g., because the vast majority die due to unnecessary subsampling procedures. Improperly planned and conducted procedures which result in excessive mortality have or may have a negative impact on the environment and biodiversity. Their existence as sensitive beings is reduced to an information function; they become only data useful for biomonitoring purposes. The main problem when trying to determine the mortality of invertebrates due to biomonitoring activities and its impact on natural populations seems to be the lack of access to raw data presenting how many animals were killed during sampling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Invertebrate Welfare)

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Other

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8 pages, 207 KiB

Open AccessCommentary

The Long Road from Religious and Ethical Traditions to Welfare of Invertebrates

by Jennifer A. Mather

Animals 2024, 14(7), 1005; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071005 - 26 Mar 2024

Viewed by 533

Abstract

Ethical behaviour tends to lead to the welfare consideration of animals, but much less so for invertebrates. Indigenous tradition often valued all animals as having an important role in life on the planet, a practical application of modern ecology. The Judaeo–Christian–Islamic tradition postulated [...] Read more.

Ethical behaviour tends to lead to the welfare consideration of animals, but much less so for invertebrates. Indigenous tradition often valued all animals as having an important role in life on the planet, a practical application of modern ecology. The Judaeo–Christian–Islamic tradition postulated ‘man’ as having dominion over all of Earth, resulting in anthropocentrism and careless practices. In contrast, the Buddhist/Hindu belief in rebirth leads to ahisma, or doing no harm. In the face of capitalist systems, practice does not necessarily follow these beliefs, especially in the ‘shepherding’ of domestic animals. Only Jainist beliefs value the lives of all invertebrates. Philosophers are often divorced from the physiological reality of the animals they muse about, and science’s traditions of objectivity and the simplest possible explanation of behaviour led to ignorance of invertebrates’ abilities. Ninety-seven percent of animals on the planet are invertebrates. We have a long way to go to provide moral standing and welfare consideration, which is consistent with the new information about the sentience of some of these animals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Invertebrate Welfare)

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