Environmental enrichment influences the relationship between lateralization and neophobia in zebrafish larvae.

ABSTRACT: Neophobia, the aversion to novelty, is a conserved survival trait that influences individuals' decision-making. In many species, juveniles showed less avoidance of novelty than adults, likely due to their limited experience and their need to gather environmental information. A challenging question is how environmental factors shape sensory processing and behavioural responses. Due to the rapid development of their nervous system and high sensitivity to environmental conditions, zebrafish (Danio rerio) represent a valuable model for investigating the phenotypic plasticity of neophobia. Previous studies showed that two-week-old larvae are more inclined to explore novel stimuli, while older larvae exhibit neophobic responses, indicating an age-dependent shift in exploratory behaviour. Lateral

SUBMITTER: Gjinaj G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12738612 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature