Crayfish Anxiety
15 Jun 2014
Crustaceans may be able to experience some emotions, a study published in the journal Science suggests.
Researchers in France have found that crayfish seem to show anxiety, a feeling previously thought to be too complex for these primitive animals.
It follows a number of studies that suggest that crustaceans can also feel pain. Some experts say the seafood industry may need to rethink how it treats these creatures.
Dr Daniel Cattaert, from the University of Bordeaux, who carried out the research, said: "Crayfish are primitive, they have been around for hundreds of millions of years.
"The idea that this animal could express some anxiety didn't seem possible, but with our experiments we're more and more convinced that this was the case."