英语听力精选进阶版 14452

Crustaceans¹ may feel anxiety

Summary

13 June 2014

Crustaceans may be able to feel some emotion. That's the conclusion of French researchers whose findings have been published in the journal Science. The research follows a number of studies that suggest crustaceans can also feel pain. Some experts say the seafood² industry may need to reconsider how it treats these creatures. 

Reporter:

Rebecca Morelle

Report

It was thought that only humans and "intelligent" animals could experience anxiety – but this research suggests that crayfish may experience a form of this emotion too.

When the crustaceans were exposed to a stressful situation – in this case an unpleasant electric field – they subsequently behaved far more cautiously, staying hidden in the darker parts of their tank.

But when the stressed crayfish were given an anti-anxiety drug, they stopped being so wary³ and moved into light, more exposed areas.

The fact that these animals may get anxious adds to a number of studies that suggest crustaceans also feel pain. Scientists say it suggests the welfare should be improved for these creatures, which are not currently classified as sentient⁴ by the food industry.

1 crustaceans   

n.甲壳纲动物（如蟹、龙虾）( crustacean的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• These crustaceans provide a valuable food source for some fish. 这些甲壳纲动物是某些鱼类重要的食物来源。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• When the tide ebbs it's a rock pool inhabited by crustaceans. 退潮时，它便成为甲壳动物居住的岩石区潮水潭。 来自辞典例句

2 seafood   

n.海产食品，海味，海鲜

参考例句：

• There's an excellent seafood restaurant near here.离这儿不远有家非常不错的海鲜馆。
• Shrimps are a popular type of seafood.小虾是比较普遍的一种海味。

3 wary   

adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的

参考例句：

• He is wary of telling secrets to others.他谨防向他人泄露秘密。
• Paula frowned,suddenly wary.宝拉皱了皱眉头，突然警惕起来。

4 sentient   

adj.有知觉的，知悉的；adv.有感觉能力地

参考例句：

• The living knew themselves just sentient puppets on God's stage.生还者认识到，他们不过是上帝的舞台上有知觉的木偶而已。
• It teaches us to love all sentient beings equally.它教导我们应该平等爱护一切众生。