Captivity-induced behaviour and spatial learning abilities in an enigmatic, aquifer-dwelling blind eel, Rakthamichthys digressus

This dataset contains data from the exploratory behaviour and spatial
learning experiments done. We investigated the impact of captive life on
behaviour and learning abilities in an enigmatic, aquifer-dwelling blind
eel, Rakthamichthys digressus. Of eight major behavioural traits related
to exploration and activity in a novel arena, four were significantly
altered by life in captivity. While the startle response upon introduction
into the arena and overall swimming away from the walls increased after
captivity, inactivity exhibited immediately after the startle and the
reaction to an external disturbance decreased. We also observed
behavioural syndromes between startle responses and horizontal wall
following, and between overall activity and vertical wall following;
however, these behavioural syndromes were not altered by maintenance in
captivity. Interestingly, this blind-eel failed to learn a simple spatial
task in a Y-maze apparatus. Captive-associated behavioural changes in R.
digressus may influence their survival after reintroduction into natural
habitats, and such changes must be taken into account while developing
protocols for ex-situ conservation and subsequent release.