Biology, behavior, and environmental enrichment for the captive African clawed frog (Xenopus spp)
Xenopus are a hardy, long-lived, aquatic amphibian species which readily adapt to a captive environment. This characteristic makes Xenopus ideal for the laboratory, where they are used extensively in basic and biomedical research. Though husbandry practices for Xenopus have not been standardized, there is burgeoning evidence that environmental enrichment can limit fighting, cannibalism, and can […]
Inversion of left–right asymmetry alters performance of Xenopus tadpoles in nonlateralized cognitive tasks
Left–right behavioural biases are well documented across the animal kingdom, and handedness has long been associated with cognitive performance. However, the relationship between body laterality and cognitive ability is poorly understood. The embryonic pathways dictating normal left–right patterning have been molecularly dissected in model vertebrates, and numerous genetic and pharmacological treatments now facilitate experimental randomization […]
Impact of tank background on the welfare of the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis (Daudin)
The captive environment of a laboratory animal can profoundly influence its welfare and the scientific validity of research produced. The African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) is a common model organism, however current husbandry guidelines lack supporting quantitative evidence. The visual environment is a fundamental aspect of a captive animal’s housing and may affect a number […]