biostudies-literatureKuo THNational Tsing Hua University and University of Liverpool Collaborative PartnershipMinistry of Science and Technology of Taiwan, MOSTMinistry of Science and Technology of Taiwan1560https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9687578biostudies-literatureUnknown11(11)Nociception is the neural process of encoding noxious stimuli and is typically accompanied by a reflex withdrawal response away from the potentially injurious stimulus. Studies on nociception in cephalopods have so far focused on octopus and squid, with no investigations to our knowledge on cuttlefish. Yet, these are an important species both in scientific and commercial use. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that a standard pain stimulus, acetic acid, induced grooming behaviour directed towards the injection site in cuttlefish and that the injection of lidocaine reduces grooming behaviours in acetic-acid-injected cuttlefish. Wound-directed behaviour demonstrates that the animal is aware of the damage; thus, when subjecting these animals to any painful treatments in the laboratory,BiologyImpact of Lidocaine on Pain-Related Grooming in Cuttlefish.PMC9687578MOST 110-2311-B-007-007-MY3110-2311-B-007-007-MY3Kuo THSneddon LUChiao CCSpencer JWfalseImpact of Lidocaine on Pain-Related Grooming in Cuttlefish.Nociception is the neural process of encoding noxious stimuli and is typically accompanied by a reflex withdrawal response away from the potentially injurious stimulus. Studies on nociception in cephalopods have so far focused on octopus and squid, with no investigations to our knowledge on cuttlefish. Yet, these are an important species both in scientific and commercial use. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that a standard pain stimulus, acetic acid, induced grooming behaviour directed towards the injection site in cuttlefish and that the injection of lidocaine reduces grooming behaviours in acetic-acid-injected cuttlefish. Wound-directed behaviour demonstrates that the animal is aware of the damage; thus, when subjecting these animals to any painful treatments in the laboratory,2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Oct2025-04-19T16:11:52.231Z2025-04-19T16:11:52.231ZS-EPMC96875783635826110.3390/biology11111560