Pain in crustaceans

Pain in crustaceans is the debate of whether or not crustaceans can feel pain, and in what way they feel pain. Pain is a complex state, and it may involve suffering. It is difficult to see if an animal feels pain. In general, pain is caused by harmful stimuli, and animals that feel pain will avoid these stimuli. To actually feel the pain, the animal also needs a more or less complex nervous system. Crustaceans fulfil several criteria. They do have a complex nervous system, they have opioid receptors, and they react less, when they are given anesthetics (painkillers).

Also, they show some degree of learning how to avoid the bad stimulus.

Pain In Crustaceans Media

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  Close up of the head of a live lobster

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  Descartes argued that animals could not experience pain

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  Nociception: The reflex arc of a dog with a pin in her paw. Note there is no communication to the brain, but the paw is withdrawn by nervous impulses generated by the spinal cord. There is no conscious interpretation of the stimulus by the dog involved in the reflex itself.

• A swimming prawn showing buoyancy in its natural environment

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  The nervous systems of a selection of crustaceans.

• A mantis shrimp swimming in its natural environment. The first report of opiate effects in invertebrates is based on a mantis shrimp species

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  The whiteleg shrimp (juvenile shown) has become the preferred species for shrimp farming

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  A hermit crab outside of its shell. Note the soft, curved abdomen which is vulnerable to predators.