Analgesics for Improved Welfare in Hummingbird Bobtail Squid (Euprymna berryi)
By: Skyler Deutsch, Christopher Seng, and Alyssa Ng
Department: Marine Biology & Limnology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Robyn Crook
Analgesia is a fundamental component of ethical welfare in research animals, and the use of analgesics for vertebrate animals has been widely studied. However, effective analgesics for invertebrates are entirely unknown. Our project focuses on testing and validation of common analgesics that are effective in hummingbird bobtail squid (Euprymna berryi), in order to provide better welfare for this species and other cephalopods. So far we have found that the analgesic acetaminophen is ineffective at providing analgesia in E. berryi. Preliminary evidence suggests that aspirin (NSAID) and buprenorphine (opioid) may be effective analgesics, but research is still ongoing. We are currently investigating other drugs and dosages. Future studies that encompass a wide range of analgesic drug classes need to be performed in order to identify functional analgesics for cephalopods, and provide the best welfare possible.