Publications

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.

Effects of culture densities on feed demand, behavioural tests and on the hepatic and cerebral oxidative status in tilapia (Oreochromis sp

The present study examines whether fish density affects behavioural tests, feed demand, and different parameters indicative of the oxidative status of the liver and brain of Orechromis sp. to identify welfare indicators for fish culturing. The fish were maintained at...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Fish, Tilapia

Citation: Sánchez-Muros, M. J., Sánchez, B., Barroso, F. G. et al. 2016. Effects of culture densities on feed demand, behavioural tests and on the hepatic and cerebral oxidative status in tilapia (Oreochromis sp.). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 185, 137-145.

Physiological and behavioural evaluation of common anaesthesia practices in the rainbow trout

Anaesthetic drugs are commonly administered to fish in aquaculture, research and veterinary contexts. Anaesthesia causes temporary absence of consciousness and may reduce the stress and/or pain associated with handling and certain invasive procedures. The rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Fish, Trout

Citation: Pounder, K. C., Mitchell, J. L., Thomson, J. S. et al. 2018. Physiological and behavioural evaluation of common anaesthesia practices in the rainbow trout. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 199, 94-102.

Playful pigs: Evidence of consistency and change in play depending on litter and developmental stage

Play behaviour in pre-weaned piglets has previously been shown to vary consistently between litters. This study aimed to determine if these pre-weaning litter differences in play behaviour were also consistent in the post-weaning period. Seven litters of commercially bred piglets...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Brown, S.M., Peters, R., Nevison, I.M. et al. 2018. Playful pigs: Evidence of consistency and change in play depending on litter and developmental stage. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 198, 36-43.

Tramadol:Paracetamol in drinking water for treatment of post-surgical pain in laboratory mice

In the search for stress-free analgesia administration for laboratory mice suffering pain, oral delivery of Tramadol:Paracetamol (T:P) shows great promise. Here, we monitored the analgesic efficacy and side effects of a T:P combination administered solely in the drinking water of...

Year Published: 2018Topics: AnalgesiaAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Jirkof, P., Arras, M., Cesarovic, N. 2018. Tramadol:Paracetamol in drinking water for treatment of post-surgical pain in laboratory mice. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 198, 95-100.

Abnormal repetitive behaviours in captive birds: A Tinbergian review

Abnormal repetitive behaviours (ARBs) are associated with past, or present, welfare problems and are common elements of the behavioural repertoire of some captive animals, including birds. Millions of birds from hundreds of species are held in various captive settings, yet...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken, Finch, Fowl, Other Bird, Parrot

Citation: Mellor, E., Brilot, B., Collins, S. 2018. Abnormal repetitive behaviours in captive birds: A Tinbergian review. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 198, 109-120.

Less water renewal reduces effects on social aggression of the cichlid Pterophyllum scalare

Changes in aquatic environments can affect fish behavior. Water renewal, for example, can dilute chemical signals, which are a social communication tool used by some fish species, and this dilution increases aggressive interactions in the group. Fierce and prolonged fights...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: dos Santos Gauy, A. C., Pereira Boscolo, C. N., Gonçalves-de-Freitas, E. 2018. Less water renewal reduces effects on social aggression of the cichlid Pterophyllum scalare. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 198, 121-126.

Why do dogs play? Function and welfare implications of play in the domestic dog

Play is an enigmatic behaviour, the function of which is still debated, despite more than a century of research. We discuss the evolutionary function of play behaviour, focusing on the domestic dog (Canis familiaris), a unique species due to its...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Sommerville, R., O'Connor, E. A., Asher, L. 2017. Why do dogs play? Function and welfare implications of play in the domestic dog. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 197, 1-8.

Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) displaying self-injurious behavior show more sleep disruption than controls

Self-injurious behavior (SIB) is a pathology observed in both humans and animals. In humans, SIB has been linked to various mental health conditions that are also associated with significant sleep disruption. In rhesus macaques, SIB consists of self-directed biting which...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Stanwicks, L. L., Hamel, A. F., Novak, M. A. 2017. Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) displaying self-injurious behavior show more sleep disruption than controls. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 197, 62-67.

The effects of mining machinery noise of different frequencies on the behaviour, faecal corticosterone and tissue morphology of wild mice (Mus musculus)

Mining noise has a wide variety of frequency spectra and is a potential source of stress for wildlife. We evaluated the effects of mining machinery noise on behaviour and associated physiological parameters at two isoenergetic frequency ranges: high (>2kHz) and...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Mancera, K. F., Lisle, A. Allavena, R. et al. 2017. The effects of mining machinery noise of different frequencies on the behaviour, faecal corticosterone and tissue morphology of wild mice (Mus musculus). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 197, 81-89.