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Buresch KC, Huget ND, Brister WC, Zhou EY, Lineaweaver AS, Rifai C, Hu J, Stevenson ZE, Boal JG, Hanlon RT. Evidence for tactile 3D shape discrimination by octopus. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2024:10.1007/s00359-024-01696-4. [PMID: 38472410 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-024-01696-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Octopuses integrate visual, chemical and tactile sensory information while foraging and feeding in complex marine habitats. The respective roles of these modes are of interest ecologically, neurobiologically, and for development of engineered soft robotic arms. While vision guides their foraging path, benthic octopuses primarily search "blindly" with their arms to find visually hidden prey amidst rocks, crevices and coral heads. Each octopus arm is lined with hundreds of suckers that possess a combination of chemo- and mechanoreceptors to distinguish prey. Contact chemoreception has been demonstrated in lab tests, but mechanotactile sensing is less well characterized. We designed a non-invasive live animal behavioral assay that isolated mechanosensory capabilities of Octopus bimaculoides arms and suckers to discriminate among five resin 3D-printed prey and non-prey shapes (all with identical chemical signatures). Each shape was introduced inside a rock dome and was only accessible to the octopus' arms. Octopuses' responses were variable. Young octopuses discriminated the crab prey shape from the control, whereas older octopuses did not. These experiments suggest that mechanotactile sensing of 3D shapes may aid in prey discrimination; however, (i) chemo-tactile information may be prioritized over mechanotactile information in prey discrimination, and (ii) mechanosensory capability may decline with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendra C Buresch
- Marine Biological Laboratory, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole, MA, USA.
| | - Noelle D Huget
- College of Science, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, USA
| | - William C Brister
- College of Science, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elaine Y Zhou
- Biological Sciences Division, University of Chicago, 5801 S. Ellis Ave, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Abraham S Lineaweaver
- College of Natural Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 37 Mather Drive, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Chloe Rifai
- College of Science, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jinyang Hu
- College of Science, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zoe E Stevenson
- College of Science, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jean G Boal
- College of Science and Technologies, Millersville University, 40 Dilworth Rd, Millersville, PA, USA
| | - Roger T Hanlon
- Marine Biological Laboratory, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole, MA, USA
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Crook RJ. Perspective: Social License as a Lens for Improving Ethical and Welfare Standards in Cephalopod Research. Integr Comp Biol 2023; 63:1307-1315. [PMID: 37442633 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icad099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Interest in cephalopods as comparative models in neuroscience, cognition, behavior, and ecology is surging due to recent advances in culture and experimental techniques. Although cephalopods have a long history in research, their use had remained limited due to the challenges of funding work on comparative models, the lack of modern techniques applicable to them, and the small number of labs with the facilities to keep and house large numbers of healthy animals for long periods. Breakthroughs in each of these areas are now creating new interest in cephalopods from researchers who trained and worked in other models, as well as allowing established cephalopod labs to grow and collaborate more widely. This broadening of the field is essential to its long-term health, but also brings with it new and heightened scrutiny from animal rights organizations, federal regulatory agencies, and members of the public. As a community, it is critical that scientists working with cephalopods engage in discussions, studies, and communication that promote high standards for cephalopod welfare. The concept of "social license to operate," more commonly encountered in industry, recreation, and agriculture, provides a useful lens through which to view proactive steps the cephalopod research community may take to ensure a strong future for our field. In this Perspective, I discuss recent progress in cephalopod ethics and welfare studies, and use the conceptual framework of Social License to Operate to propose a forward-looking, public-facing strategy for the parallel development of welfare-focused best practices and scientific breakthroughs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn J Crook
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
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Andrade MP, Santos CMD, De Paiva MMM, Medeiros SLS, O’Brien CE, Lima FD, Machado JF, Leite TS. Assessing Negative Welfare Measures for Wild Invertebrates: The Case for Octopuses. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3021. [PMID: 37835627 PMCID: PMC10571587 DOI: 10.3390/ani13193021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
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 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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaella P. Andrade
- Graduate Program in Evolution and Diversity, Federal University of ABC, Av. dos Estados, 5001, Bairro Bangu, Santo André 09210-580, Brazil;
| | - Charles Morphy D. Santos
- Graduate Program in Evolution and Diversity, Federal University of ABC, Av. dos Estados, 5001, Bairro Bangu, Santo André 09210-580, Brazil;
| | - Mizziara M. M. De Paiva
- Graduate Program in Neurosciences, Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-900, Brazil; (M.M.M.D.P.); (S.L.S.M.)
| | - Sylvia L. S. Medeiros
- Graduate Program in Neurosciences, Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-900, Brazil; (M.M.M.D.P.); (S.L.S.M.)
| | - C. E. O’Brien
- The School for Field Studies Center for Marine Resource Studies, Cockburn Harbour TKCA 1ZZ, Turks and Caicos Islands;
| | - Françoise D. Lima
- OKEANOS, Institute of Marine Sciences, University of the Azores, 9901862 Horta, Portugal;
| | - Janaina F. Machado
- Regional Program for Development and Environment, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-900, Brazil;
| | - Tatiana S. Leite
- Department of Ecology and Zoology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil;
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Kirby AJ, Balko JA, Goertz CEC, Lewbart GA. Characterization of Current Husbandry and Veterinary Care Practices of the Giant Pacific Octopus ( Enteroctopus dofleini) Using an Online Survey. Vet Sci 2023; 10:448. [PMID: 37505853 PMCID: PMC10385140 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10070448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Giant Pacific octopuses (Enteroctopus dofleini) (GPOs) are commonly housed in zoos or aquaria, and sedation, anesthesia, and/or euthanasia may be indicated for a variety of reasons. Despite this need, evidence-based data on best practices is limited and focuses on smaller or more tropical species. The objectives of this study were to survey the aquatic community regarding the husbandry and veterinary care of GPOs, with a specific focus on anesthetic and euthanasia protocols. A two-part web-based survey was distributed to four aquatic and/or veterinary email listservs. Individuals from fifty-two institutions participated in phase one. Results documented that 40 (78 percent) participating institutions currently house GPOs, with most housing one and nine institutions housing two to three GPOs. The median (range) habitat volume is 5405 (1893-16,465) L, and 78 percent of systems are closed. Of the institutions surveyed, 23 have anesthetized or sedated a GPO for nonterminal procedures, including wound care, biopsies, and hemolymph collection. Reported methods of sedation or anesthesia include magnesium chloride, ethanol, isoflurane, tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222), magnesium sulfate, benzocaine, and dexmedetomidine. Drugs or methods used for euthanasia include magnesium chloride, ethanol, mechanical decerebration, pentobarbital, isoflurane, MS-222, magnesium sulfate, benzocaine, potassium chloride, dexmedetomidine, and freezing. Reported observed side effects include ineffectiveness or inadequate sedation, inking, prolonged drug effects, and behavior changes. Survey data have the potential to guide the husbandry and veterinary care of GPOs and build the framework for future prospective studies on GPO sedation and anesthesia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julie A Balko
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | | | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
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Deutsch S, Parsons R, Shia J, Detmering S, Seng C, Ng A, Uribe J, Manahan M, Friedman A, Winters-Bostwick G, Crook RJ. Evaluation of Candidates for Systemic Analgesia and General Anesthesia in the Emerging Model Cephalopod, Euprymna berryi. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:201. [PMID: 36829480 PMCID: PMC9953149 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Cephalopods' remarkable behavior and complex neurobiology make them valuable comparative model organisms, but studies aimed at enhancing welfare of captive cephalopods remain uncommon. Increasing regulation of cephalopods in research laboratories has resulted in growing interest in welfare-oriented refinements, including analgesia and anesthesia. Although general and local anesthesia in cephalopods have received limited prior study, there have been no studies of systemic analgesics in cephalopods to date. Here we show that analgesics from several different drug classes may be effective in E. berryi. Buprenorphine, ketorolac and dexmedetomidine, at doses similar to those used in fish, showed promising effects on baseline nociceptive thresholds, excitability of peripheral sensory nerves, and on behavioral responses to transient noxious stimulation. We found no evidence of positive effects of acetaminophen or ketamine administered at doses that are effective in vertebrates. Bioinformatic analyses suggested conserved candidate receptors for dexmedetomidine and ketorolac, but not buprenorphine. We also show that rapid general immersion anesthesia using a mix of MgCl2 and ethanol was successful in E. berryi at multiple age classes, similar to findings in other cephalopods. These data indicate that systemic analgesia and general anesthesia in Euprymna berryi are achievable welfare enhancing interventions, but further study and refinement is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skyler Deutsch
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Rachel Parsons
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Jonathan Shia
- Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02445, USA
| | - Sarah Detmering
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Christopher Seng
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Alyssa Ng
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Jacqueline Uribe
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Megan Manahan
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Amanda Friedman
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | | | - Robyn J. Crook
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
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