Scientists
have found further evidence that crustaceans feel pain.
A
study has revealed that the shore crab, a close relative of the species we use
for food, responds to electric shocks and then goes on to avoid them.
Previous
research has shown that prawns and hermit crabs also react to painful
situations.
The
scientists say the findings suggest the food and aquaculture industry should
rethink how it treats these animals.
The
work is published in the Journal of
Experimental Biology.
Professor
Bob Elwood, from Queen's University Belfast, told the BBC's Science in Action
programme: "I don't know what goes on in a crab's mind.... but what I
can say is the whole behaviour goes beyond a straightforward reflex response
and it fits all the criteria of pain."
Shell
shocked
Pain
is a subjective experience and studying it in animals - especially
invertebrates such as crabs - is not easy.
The
researchers placed the crabs in an arena and studied how the responded to
electric shocks
But
Prof Elwood designed an experiment to assess how crustaceans respond to
potentially painful situations.
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