Assessment of the Multispecies Freshwater Biomonitor (MFB) in a marine context: the Green crab (Carcinus maenas) as an early warning indicator.

The Multispecies Freshwater Biomonitor is an online continuous biomonitor which utilises impedance conversion to quantitatively record behavioural responses of vertebrates and invertebrates to environmental change. Here, we extend the use of the MFB into the marine aquaculture environment using the Green crab (Carcinus maenas) as a biological monitor. As a ubiquitous and abundant species, C.

DC electrical stimulation of the pretectal thalamus and its effects on the feeding behavior of the toad (Bufo bufo).

The feeding motivation of the common European common toad (Bufo bufo) can be quantified by the feeding sequence of arousal-orientation-approach-fixate-snap. Previous work has found that the optic tectum is an important structure responsible for the mediation of feeding behaviors, and combined electrical and visual stimulation of the optic tectum was found to increase the animals feeding behaviors. However, the pretectal thalamus has an inhibitory influence upon the optic tectum and its lesion results in disinhibited feeding behaviors.

Suitability of Crangonyx pseudogracilis (Crustacea: Amphipoda) as an early warning indicator in the multispecies freshwater biomonitor.

Background: Biological monitors are increasingly important in 'Biological Early Warning Systems' (BEWS) for monitoring water quality. This study examines the freshwater amphipod Crangonyx pseudogracilis as a potential new indicator species when used in the Multispecies Freshwater Biomonitor (MFB). The MFB is an online continuous biomonitor which uses impedance conversion to record behavioural responses of vertebrates and invertebrates.

Behavioural responses to electrical and visual stimulation of the toad tectum.

Slow potential shifts in brain structures have been recorded and correlated with motivational state in several species. Previous studies have also found that application of an electrical current to the surface of brain tissue generates such slow potential shifts. The present study was conducted to examine if imposed dc shifts to the brain influenced motivation in the toad (Bufo bufo).

Mechanoreceptive and nociceptive responses in the central nervous system of goldfish (Carassius auratus) and trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Unlabelled: Nociceptive responses to a repetitive pin-prod stimulus in goldfish and trout were assessed. Single unit recordings were taken from the spinal cord, cerebellum, tectum, and telencephalon. Neuronal responses were elicited in all these regions of the central nervous system in both species of fish during brush (mechanoceptive) and pin-prod (nociceptive) stimuli.