Ascribing sentience to fish: potential policy implications

Glossary

Anxiolytic

A drug used to reduce anxiety

Amygdala

Structure in the vertebrate brain that plays a central role in processing emotions

Basal lamina

Thin layer of tissue that connect superficial and deep tissues in vertebrates and some invertebrates, for example in the skin and viscera

Cichlids

Freshwater fish of a large tropical family which includes the angelfishes, discuses, mouthbrooders, and tilapias

Diencephalon

Region of the embryonic vertebrate neural tube that gives rise to anterior forebrain structures whose functions include display of emotions, hormone production and memory

Endogenous opioids

Opioid hormones produced by the body which help control pain, emotion and cognition

Hippocampus

Part of the vertebrate forebrain that plays a role in learning, memory, and emotions

Hypothalamus

Part of the vertebrate forebrain that regulates bodily functions such as, body temperature, and heart rate

Isotocin

A hormone that plays a role in a variety of functions, including social behaviour in fish

Neuroanatomy

Study of the nervous system's structure and organisation

Nociception

Process by which the body's nervous system detects and responds to harmful stimuli, such as tissue damage or extreme temperatures

Nociceptors

Sensory neurons that detect and respond to potentially harmful stimuli, such as heat, mechanical, or chemical energy. They may be located in the skin, muscles, joints, and viscera.

Olfactory epithelium

Layer of cells in the nasal cavity that are part of the olfactory sensory system, enabling detection of odours

Olfactory lamellae

Folds of tissue within the olfactory system

Opioid receptors

Proteins found in the brain, intestines and other organs that bind to opioids and are involved in physiological functions, including pain modulation

Paraphyletic clade / group

A group of organisms that includes a common ancestor and some, but not all, of its descendant species

Phylogenetic proximity

A measure of the relationship between species, based on how close together their evolutionary relationships are

Rhombencephalon

The vertebrate hindbrain, which develops into the brain stem, functions include automatic processes such as breathing and heartbeat, also, wakefulness and posture

Spinothalamic tract

Sensory tract in vertebrates that relays nociceptive, temperature, touch, and pressure information from the skin to the brain

Teleost

A diverse and vast group of fish that include the ray-finned fishes

Telencephalon

The anterior part of the vertebrate forebrain, consisting primarily of the cerebral hemispheres, functions include learning and memory, voluntary movement, cognition, smell and sight

Trigeminal tract

A sensory tract that relays information about pain, temperature, and light touch from the face, mouth, and nose (indirectly) to the brain