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During physiological studies, it is often required to restrain a small animal for an experiment, as it is typically challenging to perform in vivo imaging or measurements on freely moving individuals. In this article we describe two widely applicable approaches for repeated restraint of small (approx. 0.5-4 cm) decapods and amphipods that are established in our laboratory: immobilization using gentle gluing and suction. Application of both these approaches as well as their advantages and disadvantages are discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermopreference reactions and avoidance sensitivity to dissolved oxygen levels were measured in three endemic amphipod species from Lake Baikal: Eulimnogammarus verrucosus and E. vittatus, as well as Brandtia parasitica, which is a symbiont of the Baikalean sponge, Lubomirskia baikalensis. The benthic E. vittatus and E. verrucosus demonstrated highly developed thermopreference reactions, whereas B. parasitica did not show thermopreference behaviour. The experimental results also showed that E. vittatus and E. verrucosus avoid water with decreased dissolved oxygen levels, whereas behavioural reactions of B. parasitica did not depend on oxygen concentration. In the presence of sponge fragments, individual B. parasitica moved actively towards them, and concentrated on those fragments. Possible reasons for reduction of behavioural preference in B. parasitica are discussed with a focus on the species' symbiotic status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]