Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus genotype IVb (VHSV-IVb) is presently found throughout the Laurentian Great Lakes region of North America. We recently developed a DNA vaccine preparation containing the VHSV-IVb glycoprotein (G) gene with a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter that proved highly efficacious in protecting muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) and three salmonid species. This study was condu...

Tool-use research has focused primarily on land-based animals, with less consideration given to aquatic animals and the environmental challenges and conditions they face. Here, we review aquatic tool use and examine the contributing ecological, physiological, cognitive and social factors. Tool use among aquatic animals is rare but taxonomically diverse, occurring in fish, cephalopods, mammals, ...

Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotes with wide geographic distribution that can produce secondary metabolites named cyanotoxins. These toxins can be classified into three main types according to their mechanism of action in vertebrates: hepatotoxins, dermatotoxins and neurotoxins. Many studies on the effects of cyanobacteria and their toxins over a wide range of aquatic organisms, inclu...

Australia is free from many significant diseases of aquatic animals. Quarantine policies for aquatic animals and aquatic animal products are designed to meet the international trade obligations of Australia, while preventing the entry of pests and diseases. These policies are supported by measures to prevent the introduction of aquatic species which would have deleterious effects on the environ...

Terrestrial animal welfare has been a matter for exploration for many years. In contrast, approaches towards improving the welfare and humane treatment of aquatic animals are relatively new, as is the thinking behind them. Several issues complicate the process of addressing the welfare of aquatic animals in a consistent manner. These include the following: - the huge diversity among aquatic ani...

About the extent of moral agency in the animal kingdom, one view is that only humans are moral agents. Holding a different view, I argue that moral agency depends on the capacity for other-regard and the capacity to be attuned to significance—such that things matter to one. I derive a criterion where a creature is a moral agent if she performs an action that promotes others’ significant interes...