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Publication
A behavioural study on environmental enrichment in the common octopus, Octopus vulgaris cuvier, 1798
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
A riqueza de estimulação é um dos aspetos mais importantes quando se fala em bem-estar de animais em cativeiro. Neste trabalho pretendemos demonstrar que o enriquecimento ambiental tem uma influência assinalável no comportamento e no bem-estar do polvo comum (Octopus vulgaris). Para uma parte da análise foi usado o etograma da espécie, elaborado a partir da observação de 2 polvos, da costa do Algarve. Foram verificados e descritos 38 padrões comportamentais, em 7 categorias: locomoção, alimentação, social, posturas, abrigo, exploração, padrões de cores e outros. Para a análise do bem-estar, distribuíram-se 12 polvos também apanhados na costa do Algarve por três aquários, com diferentes níveis de enriquecimento: aquário 1 - nenhum, aquário completamente vazio, sem substrato nem objetos (estéril); aquário 2 - fraco, substrato de areia (standard); aquário 3 - forte, enriquecido com substrato de areia, pedras e covos (enriquecido). Foram feitas 4 filmagens por dia (2 vezes durante o dia e 2 à noite) a cada aquário. No aquário enriquecido os polvos foram mais exploratórios, principalmente no período da tarde. No aquário estéril os polvos apresentaram uma maior frequência de comportamentos estereotipados. A preparação de um abrigo parece constituir uma necessidade comportamental, já que este comportamento esteve presente tanto no aquário standard, como no enriquecido.
ABSTRACT: Stimulation enrichment is one of the most important aspects when talking about the welfare of animals in captivity. In this study we want to demonstrate that environment enrichment has a visible influence over the behaviour and welfare of the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris). The species ethogram was used to do a part of the analyses, created from the observation of 2 octopuses, from the coast of Algarve. 38 behavioural patterns were observed and described, within 7 categories: locomotion, feeding, social, postures, shelter, exploration, colour patterns and other. To do the welfare analyses, 12 octopuses, also caught in the coast of Algarve, were distributed among three aquaria with different levels of enrichment: Aquarium 1 - none, empty aquarium, without substrate or objects (sterile); aquarium 2 - weak, with a sand substrate (standard); aquarium 3 - strong, enriched with a sand substrate, rocks and dens (enriched). Each aquarium was recorded 4 times a day (2 times during the day and 2 at night). The octopuses were more exploratory in the enriched aquarium, especially in the afternoon period. In the sterile aquarium the octopuses showed a higher frequency of behavioural stereotypies. The preparation of a shelter appears to be a behavioural necessity, since this behaviour was observed in the standard aquarium as well as in the enriched one.
ABSTRACT: Stimulation enrichment is one of the most important aspects when talking about the welfare of animals in captivity. In this study we want to demonstrate that environment enrichment has a visible influence over the behaviour and welfare of the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris). The species ethogram was used to do a part of the analyses, created from the observation of 2 octopuses, from the coast of Algarve. 38 behavioural patterns were observed and described, within 7 categories: locomotion, feeding, social, postures, shelter, exploration, colour patterns and other. To do the welfare analyses, 12 octopuses, also caught in the coast of Algarve, were distributed among three aquaria with different levels of enrichment: Aquarium 1 - none, empty aquarium, without substrate or objects (sterile); aquarium 2 - weak, with a sand substrate (standard); aquarium 3 - strong, enriched with a sand substrate, rocks and dens (enriched). Each aquarium was recorded 4 times a day (2 times during the day and 2 at night). The octopuses were more exploratory in the enriched aquarium, especially in the afternoon period. In the sterile aquarium the octopuses showed a higher frequency of behavioural stereotypies. The preparation of a shelter appears to be a behavioural necessity, since this behaviour was observed in the standard aquarium as well as in the enriched one.
Description
Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada ao ISPA - Instituto Universitário
Keywords
Polvos Octopus vulgaris Comportamento Enriquecimento ambiental Bem-estar Octopuses Octopus vulgaris Behaviour Environmental enrichment Welfare