but not so invasive to determine reduction in body weight. Besides,
also a differential timing of physiological responses to infection and to
manipulation might account for the observed pattern. Indeed, we
have focused on the short-term response, but it would be of interest
to further investigate on the long-term response of animals maintained
in captivity for a prolonged period of time following the manipulation
and that might also finally respond with a loss of weight.
In conclusion, the present findings add some important piece of information
on basal level of immune parameters in O. vulgaris, as well
as on magnitude of variation due to both immune challenge and simply
manipulation. Moreover, the importance to recognize and evaluate
changes in behavioural patterns as a consequence of stress and/or infection
can be of great help in improving animalwell-being, particularly on
species such as O. vulgaris, which are largely employed for behavioural
studies needing prolonged periods of maintenance in captivity. This
gains further importance in light of recent introduction of cephalopods
on legislation on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes
(2010/63/EU).