Exploiting animal personality to reduce chronic stress in captive fish populations (4917)

Over recent years the study of animal personality, defined as the presence of consistent behavioural differences between individuals, has become an important topic. This project, will investigate recently demonstrated links between behaviour and stress physiology to determine if, and how, we can harnass our understanding of personality to improve the welfare of animals, specifically fish, in captivity. Stress responses are the behavioural and physiological pathways by which animals maintain fitness when challenged by adverse environments. Over evolutionary time natural selection has shaped stress responses to cope with risks and dangers that are an inevitable part of life in the wild. However, many animals now live in captive conditions very different from those in which their stress responses evolved and this can cause problems. For example, chronic activation of endocrine stress pathways is common and negatively impacts health. We understand why problems can occur in a mechanistic sense, but are poor at predicting in advance where and when they actually will. Recent studies have shown that fish vary in susceptibility to chronic stress, and that this can be predicted by personality. This is intuitive as behaviour is often the first line of defence when coping with challenges so personality traits can be thought of as part of the overall stress response. We also know that genetic factors underpin many personality differences, raising the prospect that selection on personality could help us increase stress resistance in fish populations. The goal of this project is to develop and validate behavioural biomarkers of stress resistance by studying the integration of behaviour (personality), physiology, and welfare outcomes. It will focus on both guppies and zebrafish as models. The project will combine theory and analytical methods from livestock genetics with physiology, welfare science, and assays of animal personality developed largely by behavioural ecologists.