PhD Dissertation- “Behavioral and physiological indicators of Cephalopod state, perceptions and welfare” by Stephanie Chancellor
May 14, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Stephanie Chancellor will present "Behavioral and physiological indicators of Cephalopod state, perceptions and welfare" on May 14, 2014 at 12pm.
Abstract: Cephalopods are behaviorally complex invertebrates, commonly kept in laboratories and public aquariums. My dissertation describes different means to measure changes in behavior and physiology of these incredible animals. First, I created two different designs of artificial patches to measure foraging intensity of the giant Pacific octopus, Enteroctopus dolfeini, in Prince William Sound, Alaska. I was able to measure differences in foraging between habitat types and locations. Next, I validated a minimally invasive technique to measure stress hormones in three species of cephalopods commonly kept in captivity, Sepia bandensis, Euprymna berryi, and Octopus chierchiae. I was able to measure changes in glucocorticoids, cortisol and corticosterone in all three species after an ACTH challenge and was the first instance where changes of cortisol was measured in a cephalopod. This technique was then used to measure changes in stress and reproductive hormones in reproductive and senescent Octopus bimaculoides after a stress test. In this experiment, I was able to measure changes in estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone from both age classes. This experiment also further validates cortisol to be the stress hormone that best describes changes in glucocorticoid production due to stress. Finally, I used observations of Octopus tetricus in Jervis Bay, Australia to describe contest behavior. By being able to reidentify individuals due to scars and injuries I was able to show that octopuses display similar behavior when participating in multiple contests. Furthermore, I describe the posture and coloration used in these contests which may be used to communicate. My hope is that my dissertation will provide insights of wild cephalopod behavior along with providing a technique to improve welfare in captivity.
For zoom details, please email Emily Beaufort (ebeauf2@uic.edu)
Date posted
Mar 30, 2021
Date updated
Apr 30, 2021