Maze design: size and number of choices impact fish performance in cognitive assays

Journal of Fish Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 103(5), P. 974 - 984

Published: June 30, 2023

Although studies on fish cognition are increasing, consideration of how methodological details influence the ability to detect and measure performance is lagging. Here, in two separate experiments authors compared latency leave start position, make a decision, levels participation success rates (whether entered rewarded chamber as first choice) across different physical designs. Experiments (a) sizes T-mazes, large standard, plus-maze, (b) open choice arenas with either or four doors. Fish T-mazes longer arms took were less likely participate trial than shorter arms. The number options, complexity, maze significantly impacted but did not necessarily impact behavioural measures, that reached chamber. plus-maze had similar latencies box time reach any same-sized T-maze exhibited lower overall success. Similarly, an arena, increasing options - doors potential reward chambers resulted probability There was position closest sides arena resulting enter higher decision Together results allow offer practical suggestions towards optimal design for cognition.

Language: Английский

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Habituation with apparatus and group testing improves assessment of fish preferences

Journal of Fish Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 4, 2025

Abstract Preference tests are commonly used to assess fish behavior and cognition in several research fields. This study aimed investigate how perform a preference test involving extended habituation the apparatus, which was expected reduce stress. We contrasted choice between sector of apparatus with natural vegetation, be preferred stimulus, barren sector. Initially, we demonstrated that guppies' for vegetation increased after 5‐day period (Experiment 1). Subsequent experiments systematically modified testing paradigm observe effects on preference. Experiment 2 introduced physical separation sectors facilitate discrete choices, 3 tested groups fish, 4 wild guppies. Only modification impacted scores: guppies showed higher stimulus spent less time central, no‐choice apparatus. Overall, this supports importance methodological details highlights benefits group testing. Researchers should consider these factors when designing evaluate cognitive abilities or behavioral preferences fish. Tailoring paradigms specific goals can improve reliability comparability results, contributing deeper understanding welfare.

Language: Английский

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Social buffering of behavioural stress response in two fish species, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and koi carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Ethology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 130(7)

Published: April 21, 2024

Abstract The presence of conspecifics plays a crucial role in mitigating stress responses social teleost species and holds potential for enhancing welfare captive fish. While studies on buffering effects have typically focussed single species, marked interspecific differences can exist. Here, we conducted an analysis response two the most extensively farmed fish, Nile tilapia koi carp. Subjects were exposed to behavioural assay (open‐field test) three conditions simulating increasing levels enrichment: isolation, pairs, or shoals five We obtained indicators from assay: thigmotaxis, freezing, activity, erratic movements interindividual distance with more than one In both significantly decreased enrichment, suggesting similar effect. However, other revealed differences. Koi carp, but not tilapia, showed socially‐mediated reduction whereas freezing behaviour. Furthermore, enrichment determined opposite activity species: active as group size increased, trend was found Finally, increased size, no changes observed Our study indicates that do completely overlap between different fish highlighting importance developing finely‐tuned species‐specific enrichments indicators.

Language: Английский

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Familiarity preferences in zebrafish (Danio rerio) depend on shoal proximity

Journal of Fish Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 14, 2024

Abstract Individuals of many species prefer to associate with familiar conspecifics from their established social group over unfamiliar conspecifics. Such familiarity preferences are thought be adaptive and have been documented widely in fishes. Zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) extensively studied, highly fish that form stable shoals the wild, however there is only mixed evidence for this species. Here, we test how a small variation experimental design can influence D. by varying distance between two stimulus shoaling choice paradigm. Individual subjects tested preference shoal or groups showed when were 30 cm apart, but not they 45 60 apart. Thus, tests used detect , alternate close together, as increased intershoal distances seemingly prevent displaying preference. Longer may inhibit behavior due higher risk crossing shoals, alternatively unable reliably discern distinguishing cues further Our results demonstrate while exist critical detecting measuring these successfully.

Language: Английский

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The effect of metabolism on cognitive performance varies with task complexity in common minnows, Phoxinus phoxinus

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 214, P. 95 - 110

Published: July 4, 2024

Cognitive abilities are crucial for survival and adaptation, enabling animals to navigate their environment, recognize predators remember the location of food resources. However, underlying factors related learning memory can be energetically demanding thus may vary depending on an individual's metabolism or aerobic capacity, potentially affecting individuals' cognitive performance. In this study, we explored link between performance whole-body metabolic traits, including scope (AS), maximum rate (MMR) standard (SMR). European minnows, Phoxinus phoxinus, were trained over 20 days locate a reward in maze. Individuals either simple (two-door) complex (four-door) Fish simpler maze had consistently higher success lower latency reach reward, suggesting two-door was less cognitively challenging. We found correlation traits (i.e. reward) at end training. relationship varied complexity. maze, individuals with MMR SMR reward. more fish rates (MMR SMR) AS followed similar patterns but mostly affected environments, having beneficial performance, whereas as it could associated slower thorough exploration process.

Language: Английский

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Lessons in cognition: A review of maze designs and procedures used to measure spatial learning in fish

Journal of Fish Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 12, 2024

The use of different mazes to assess spatial learning has become more common in fish behavior studies recent decades. This increase cognition research opened the door numerous possibilities for exciting and diverse questions, such as identifying ecological drivers understanding role individual variation plays navigational abilities. There are many types mazes, each with its own specific considerations, making it challenging determine exactly which test is most relevant appropriate a particular experiment. Many T-maze Y-maze, have been successfully adapted from rodent studies, particularly respect zebrafish, widely accepted non-mammalian model biomedical studies. Standardization across increasing these easily accessible maze designs, validating them fish; however, variations design (e.g., length arms scale) procedure still exist, impact on results largely unknown. efforts standardize outside zebrafish work also limited. Other developed specifically fish, modifications varying widely, difficult draw comparisons. In this review, we highlighted procedural elements that should be considered acquisition reliable behavioral data, goal drawing readers' attention aspects experimentation often not given careful consideration they deserve. We then argue additional focused reporting needed produce methods broader range subjects.

Language: Английский

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A reinvestigation of cognitive styles in sticklebacks: decision success varies with behavioral type

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 36(1)

Published: Nov. 25, 2024

The "cognitive styles" hypothesis suggests that individual differences in behavior are associated with variation cognitive performance via underlying speed-accuracy trade-offs. While this is supported, part, by a growing body of evidence, some studies did not find the expected relationships between behavioral type and performance. In cases, may reflect methodological limitations rather than absence true relationship. physical design testing arena number choices offered an assay can hinder our ability to detect inter-individual Here, we re-investigated styles threespine stickleback (

Language: Английский

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Three-spined sticklebacks show dimension-specific preferences for shelter

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 208, P. 41 - 49

Published: Dec. 23, 2023

Shelter is an important resource, serving as protection from rivals, predators and environmental stressors. The physical dimensions of a potential shelter are factor that can affect decisions about options. Animals must select they fit into use refuge, but beyond that, do show fine-scale preferences based on dimensions? This question has been actively studied for species whose closely connected to their life cycles, such obligate shell dwellers nest-inhabiting species. However, decision making temporary shelters received less attention. We tested whether three-spined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus, common laboratory model, exhibit in (actively entering spending time within shelter) between with different dimensions. used PVC tubes conducted simultaneous choice assay where individual fish were presented each three available shelter. showed clear preference, using larger diameter more frequently than either the other two There was no difference number nonsheltering visits made or enter across tube sizes, which suggests active selection by rather passive bias. duration spent shelter, suggesting despite these preferences, actual benefit derived may be decoupled Our results offer opportunities future research addresses longer term questions both behavioural ecology welfare. What drives preference tubes, there long-term benefits preferred Certainly, our suggest housing sticklebacks simple convenient means improve

Language: Английский

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Methodological approach to investigating spatial cognition in Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus)

Journal of Fish Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 29, 2024

Abstract Assessing cognitive traits poses consistent methodological challenges. We describe a method for testing Arctic charr by incorporating T‐maze into their housing, which reduced stress and improved the engagement of tested fish in task. outline phases to evaluate learning efficiency determine orientation strategies, such as motor response versus beaconing, are prioritized animals. emphasize management aspects design, aiming inspire other researchers tackling similar obstacles, rather than delving specific abilities assessment.

Language: Английский

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Cognitive and behavioral response of mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) to environmental factors: Microplastics, predator cues, and detour design methods

Journal of Fish Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 13, 2024

Abstract Urban stream syndrome is the collective term used to describe physical and ecological degradation of streams draining urban lands that poses substantial threats freshwater ecosystems. Among various consequences expansion, microplastic pollution shifts in predator–prey dynamics are prominent alterations natural habitat could impact cognitive behavioral responses aquatic species. To explore how symptoms fish, we conducted two experiments using a delayed detour test measure risk‐taking inhibitory control Gambusia affinis . In first experiment, hypothesized G. exposed different concentrations microplastics would show altered risk‐taking. second exposure predator chemical cues during task alter We did not find significant differences or cues. then compared effect size confidence intervals (CI) these results with published same study response environmental conditions. Our investigations revealed CIs studies presented here were larger than previously studies. consider potential changes experimental design might have affected our ability detect differences, such as dimensions testing tanks. also suggest extending duration allow ample time for both exiting starting chamber solving detour. propose considering age species under adjusting paradigm design. Although findings specific , underscore importance aspects ecologically relevant when analysing fish. With discussion, contribute understanding methodologies highlight factors influence outcomes.

Language: Английский

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