Amphibian

Nontraditional laboratory animal species (cephalopods, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds)

Aquatic vertebrates and cephalopods, amphibians, reptiles, and birds offer unique safety and occupational health challenges for laboratory animal personnel. This paper discusses environmental, handling, and zoonotic concerns associated with these species.

Year Published: 2018Topics: HandlingAnimal Type: Amphibian, Bird, Cephalopod, Crocodile & Alligator, Finch, Fish, Fowl, Frog & Toad, Invertebrate, Lizard, Other Bird, Other Fish, Parrot, Reptile, Salamander, Salmon, Snake, Tilapia, Trout, Turtle & Tortoise, Zebrafish

Citation: O'Rourke, D. P., Baccanale, C. L., Stoskopf, M. K. 2018. Nontraditional laboratory animal species (cephalopods, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds). ILAR Journal 59(2), 168-176.

Lower light intensity reduces larval aggression in matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus

Brycon amazonicus shows a high frequency of aggressive behavior, which can be a limiting factor in intensive farming systems. Environmental changes can modulate the social interactions of fish and reduce aggression during the different stages of production. Groups of three...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Amphibian, Fish, Frog & Toad, Other Fish, Shark & Ray, Zebrafish

Citation: Lopes, A. C. C., Villacorta-Correa, M. A., Carvalho, T. B. 2018. Lower light intensity reduces larval aggression in matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus. Behavioural Processes 151, 62-66.

I3S software as a refinement technique to identify individuals within a captive Scyliorhinus canula population

Demarking individual animals within a group is often required in research. However, the process of invasive tagging induces stress and if a tag becomes detached it may wound the animal and/or prevent identification. Photo identification using natural marks can be...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Identification MethodAnimal Type: Amphibian, Fish, Frog & Toad, Other Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: McMurray, C., Allen, N., Hook, S. et al. 2018. I3S software as a refinement technique to identify individuals within a captive Scyliorhinus canula population. Animal Technology and Welfare 17(3), 204-205 (IAT Congress 2018 Poster Presentation).

Impact of tank background on the welfare of the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis (Daudin)

The captive environment of a laboratory animal can profoundly influence its welfare and the scientific validity of research produced. The African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) is a common model organism, however current husbandry guidelines lack supporting quantitative evidence. The visual...

Year Published: 2016Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Amphibian, Frog & Toad

Citation: Holmes, A. M., Emmans, C. J., Jones, N. et al. 2016. Impact of tank background on the welfare of the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis (Daudin). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 185, 131-136.

The curious tale of axolotl enrichment

Axolotls can be used in scientific research to provide fertilised embryos for investigations into the genetic pathways controlling stem cell development. Breeding animals are housed for several years and environmental enrichment is required to improve welfare by providing axolotls greater...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Amphibian, Salamander

Citation: Billingham, E. 2017. The curious tale of axolotl enrichment. Animal Technology and Welfare 16(3), 191-194.

Development of a body condition score for the mountain chicken frog (Leptodactylus fallax)

The Critically Endangered mountain chicken frog (Leptodactylus fallax) has undergone drastic population decline due to habitat loss, hunting, invasive species, and chytridiomycosis. In response, several partner institutions initiated a conservation breeding program. It is important to maintain the captive population...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Amphibian, Frog & Toad

Citation: Jayson, S., Harding, L., Michaels, C. J. et al. 2018. Development of a body condition score for the mountain chicken frog (Leptodactylus fallax). Zoo Biology 37(3), 196–205.

Uses and doses of local anesthetics in fish, amphibians, and reptiles

Local anesthetics are an integral part of routine pain management in mammals, yet their use is relatively limited in fish, amphibians and reptiles. These animals frequently undergo potentially painful surgical procedures and therefore could possibly benefit from those drugs. Some...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Analgesia, Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Amphibian, Crocodile & Alligator, Fish, Frog & Toad, Lizard, Other Fish, Reptile, Salamander, Salmon, Snake, Tilapia, Trout, Turtle & Tortoise, Zebrafish

Citation: Chatigny, F., Kamunde, C., Creighton, C. M. et al. 2017. Uses and doses of local anesthetics in fish, amphibians, and reptiles. JAALAS 56(3), 244-253.

An efficient, simple, and noninvasive procedure for genotyping aquatic and nonaquatic laboratory animals

Various animal models are indispensible in biomedical research. Increasing awareness and regulations have prompted the adaptation of more humane approaches in the use of laboratory animals. With the development of easier and faster methodologies to generate genetically altered animals, convenient...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Identification MethodAnimal Type: Amphibian, Frog & Toad, Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Okada, M., Miller, T. C., Roediger, J. et al. 2017. An efficient, simple, and noninvasive procedure for genotyping aquatic and nonaquatic laboratory animals. JAALAS 56(5), 570-573.

Comparison of etomidate, benzocaine, and MS222 anesthesia with and without subsequent flunixin meglumine analgesia in African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis)

Often few alternative anesthetics for exotic species are available, due to the small numbers of these animals used in research. In this study, we evaluated the depth and duration of anesthesia in Xenopus laevis after their immersion in 3 doses...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Analgesia, Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Amphibian, Frog & Toad

Citation: Smith, B. D., Vail, K. J., Carroll, G. L. et al. 2018. Comparison of etomidate, benzocaine, and MS222 anesthesia with and without subsequent flunixin meglumine analgesia in African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis). JAALAS 57(2), 202-209.

Use of a translucent refuge for Xenopus tropicalis with the aim of improving welfare

Xenopus tropicalis is an increasingly important animal model in a variety of biological research fields. In many countries legislation exists to promote and increase welfare wherever possible, including the ability to view animals during daily husbandry with minimal stress to...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Amphibian, Frog & Toad

Citation: Cooke, G. M. 2018. Use of a translucent refuge for Xenopus tropicalis with the aim of improving welfare. Laboratory Animals 52(3), 304-307.