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- Directive 2010/63/EU on animal welfare: a review on the existing scientific knowledge and implications in cephalopod aquaculture researchPublication . Sykes, António V.; Baptista, Filipa D.; Gonçalves, Rui A.; Andrade, José PedroThis review intends to provide a reflection regarding Directive 2010 ⁄ 63 ⁄ EU, on animal welfare, and its application concerning cephalopod breeding and experimentation in aquaculture research. To do so, we gathered different perspectives of our group members, involving two cephalopod aquaculture researchers, an aquaculture fish production technician and a veterinary professional, the latter with no background on cephalopod research. The inclusion of this class in the animal welfare legislation; the definition of live cephalopods, stress, pain and suffering are revised according to the latest scientific knowledge. Considering the 15 year background that the Centre of Marine Sciences holds on the cultivation of the European cuttlefish, an evaluation of existing production protocols, aquaculture technology related research, ethics and cephalopod welfare are discussed. The application of anaesthesia, analgesia and euthanasia is discussed, bearing in mind the different procedures applied on a daily basis in aquaculture breeding and experimentation and the requirements of the new Directive. Finally, an overview of the above and progress on 3Rs (replacement of animals, reduction in number of animals and refinement of procedures) application to cephalopod welfare is presented.
- Characterization of deformed hatchlings of Octopus vulgaris obtained under captivity from a small femalePublication . Jiménez-Prada, Pablo; Scherbakova, Anastasia; Riera, Rodrigo; Felipe, Beatriz C.; Sykes, António V.; Gonçalves, Rui A.; Andrade, José Pedro; Perales-Raya, Catalina; Rodríguez, Covadonga; Almansa, EduardoThe common octopus (Octopus vulgaris), a promising species for aquaculture, spawns easily under cap-tivity from mature females (usually above 1 kg wet weight). Octopus juveniles and adults are collectedfrom nature to obtain eggs and paralarvae for aquaculture development trials. In July 2011, a very smallfemale (150 g wet weight but with an age estimation of 300 days-old) spawned almost 77,000 paralar-vae. Malformations of paralarvae were noticed in the first spawning days, namely the absence of arms.Despite not being lethal, these abnormalities might be derived from the physiological condition of thebreeding specimen (the female’s lower weight to the estimated amount of living days), which might beeventually related to nutritional unbalances or genetic parameters that were transferred to the eggs.
- Early weaning of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis, L.) with frozen grass shrimp (Palaemonetes varians) from the first day after hatchingPublication . Sykes, António V.; Gonçalves, Rui A.; Andrade, José PedroThe European cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) is one of the most well-known cephalopods (Boletzky 1983). During the last years, research on cuttlefish has focused on its introduction as a new species for aquaculture. This is due to the biological and economical characteristics that this species display, which have the potential for industrial culture. The most important are the short life cycles and the fast growth rates which imply lower production periods and associated costs. On the other hand, the inability to grow cephalopods on an inexpensive and storable prepared diet has been identified as a bottleneck (Sykes, Domingues, Correia & Andrade 2006).
- Refining tools for studying cuttlefish ( Sepia officinalis ) reproduction in captivity: in vivo sexual determination, tagging and DNA collectionPublication . Sykes, António V.; Alves, Alexandra; Capaz, Juan Carlos; Madeira, Céline; Couto, Ana T.; Gonçalves, Rui A.; Frias, Paulo A.; Leal, Irene; Andrade, José PedroTo overcome the bottleneck of reproduction in cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis, aquaculture development, there is need for new tools or refinement of methods. While attaining low welfare impact on individuals, procedures to allow for in vivo individual sexual and maturity determination, tagging and collection of samples for high quality DNA are needed. The present study evaluated the use of an endoscope, visual implant elastomer and swabbing for each, respectively, in a set of 3 experiments that registered its effects on growth, mortality and reproduction. Results showed that all the methodologies tested herein were of easy application, did not promote injuries nor poor growth, abnormal reproduction or increased mortality. This indicates that cuttlefish would not be experiencing pain, suffering, distress and lasting harm (PSDLH), resulting from the application of these procedures and that these are therefore recommended as new standards for reproduction studies in the species.