Variation
in learning and memory ability: the role of predation pressure and
other ecological variables
Why do animals vary in their learning and memory abilities? Differences
in certain types of environmental variables seem to contribute to
such differences. We have been investigating how predation pressure
and the relative stability of the local environment influence cognition
and temperament in different populations of fish. Using within species
comparisons and rearing fish in controlled environments we have
begun to determine the factors underpinning individual differences
in cognition and behavior. We are currently focusing on how genotype
and environment interactions operate in different populations and
species to generate individual variation in cognition and temperament
behaviors.
Effects
of variable rearing environments on the development of behavior
in hatchery reared fish
Over the last few years there have been concerted efforts made
to bolster threatened fish populations through the managed release
of hatchery reared individuals. Conventional fish hatcheries provide
a plain, homogeneous environment in which large numbers of juvenile
fish can be reared. While hatcheries provide a safe and productive
growing environment, they do little to prepare fish for life in
naturally variable wild environments. We have been determining
how to introduce elements of variability into the hatchery environment
to promote behavioral flexibility and increase survival in hatchery
reared fish that are released into the wild.
Nociception
and pain in teleost fish
Do fish have a capacity to detect tissue damaging stimuli –
and if they do, can the fish perceive such stimuli as painful?
To address this we investigated whether fish possess nociceptors,
specialized nerve fibers that mammals and birds use to detect
noxious stimuli. We have also investigated how fish behavior and
physiology change in response to tissue damaging stimuli and the
effects that analgesics have on behaviors that are affected after
potentially pain inducing stimuli are delivered. Our research
has demonstrated that fish do possess nociceptors and that fish
behavior can be adversely affected by noxious, tissue damaging
stimuli. We have also shown that such impaired behaviors can be
reversed when fish are provided with pain relieving chemicals
such as opiates.
I.
Motivational state and coping ability as operational indicators
of welfare in farmed fish
II. Fish School - Learning ability, cognition and welfare of farmed
fish
These two projects are being run in collaboration with the Institute
for Marine Research, Bergen Norway. Using methods to quantify
cognition and cognitive ability in fish species that are commonly
used in aquaculture such as cod, salmon and halibut, we are devising
ways to quantify and determine appropriate welfare measures for
farmed fish.
