We consider evidence that crustaceans might experience pain and stress in ways that are analogous to those of vertebrates. Various criteria are applied that might indicate a potential for pain experience: (1) a suitable central nervous system and receptors, (2) avoidance learning, (3) protective motor reactions that might include reduced use of the affected area, limping, rubbing, holding or autotomy, (4) physiological changes, (5) trade-offs between stimulus avoidance and other motivational requirements, (6) opioid receptors and evidence of reduced pain experience if treated with local anaesthetics or analgesics, and (7) high cognitive ability and sentience. For stress, we examine hormonal responses that have similar function to glucocorticoids in vertebrates. We conclude that there is considerable similarity of function, although different systems are used, and thus there might be a similar experience in terms of suffering. The treatment of these animals in the food industry and elsewhere might thus pose welfare problems.
No more prawn cocktails or shrimp sandwiches for me.
You probably looked it up a long time ago, but for any future readers: They’re different groups of species. Both are soft-shelled crustaceans, but that’s where the similarity ends.
Any morphological similarities are probably down to converging evolution.
Ha… actually, I didn’t look it up at all. According to Wikipedia, you’re right, but ‘shrimp’ is the common name for a lot of things that get called ‘prawns’ outside of the US.
Pain and stress in crustaceans? Source: Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
No more prawn cocktails or shrimp sandwiches for me.
Is there really a place where both ‘prawn’ and ‘shrimp’ are used? What’s the difference?
You probably looked it up a long time ago, but for any future readers: They’re different groups of species. Both are soft-shelled crustaceans, but that’s where the similarity ends.
Any morphological similarities are probably down to converging evolution.
Ha… actually, I didn’t look it up at all. According to Wikipedia, you’re right, but ‘shrimp’ is the common name for a lot of things that get called ‘prawns’ outside of the US.