@Michael__Rera Thanks! I was asking for mice this time haha

@Michael__Rera Do you have any preliminary data on how many animals might be necessary to have an adequately powered study for measuring ageing with the Smurf assay? Including males and females?

@katvogt Nice article!

@MarkHanson @wolfhuette Their criterion 1 also says ‘immediate’. The Burghardt book they cite provides a lengthy explanation for the criteria used, and this includes much nuance that they don’t have space for in the paper. I think that there is enough ambiguity and controversy around the definition of 'play' that caveating the claim by calling it 'play-like' is sufficient for me. How play-like? Maybe minimally. That’s where further study is needed, with sticks and predators etc.

@MarkHanson @wolfhuette I think there are likely many contexts in which one could test whether this type of behaviour varies to determine more deeply what motivates flies to engage in it; be it enjoyment, utility, or both. For predator avoidance, testing with predator cues present may clarify. But, even if more testing reveals compelling evidence for this truly being play-like behaviour, for me this wouldn’t reach the threshold of altering ethical implications. Why would it for you?

@MarkHanson @lmvteixeira Wow. Certainly something I’m going to keep in mind going forward.

@MarkHanson That’s amazing you caught that. How prevalent do you think this virus is in Drosophila labs around the world? Is there a simple way to ensure lab stocks don’t have it?