Technical platform

Scientific & Technical Context:

Located in the immediate vicinity of the ECOBIOP laboratory and the researchers' offices, the PLT (Plant Laboratory Testing) was primarily designed for controlled environment experimentation. The sampled data mainly concerns the study of dispersal and territorial behaviors (juveniles) or, more rarely, reproduction (adults). This data is generated through direct observation, video recording, or respirometry equipment. The main instruments are located indoors, in temperature-controlled rooms equipped with specific lighting, secure electrical installations, and equipment ensuring precise control of environmental parameters (temperature, light levels, current speeds, etc.). The animals are placed, as much as possible, in a non-stressful environment: living conditions similar to their natural habitat with minimal disturbance (monitoring via video surveillance, restricted visits, etc.).

Facility Descriptions

 The PLT is located within the INRAE ​​Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle site. The main building, constructed in 1978, is used by the two teams present at the Aquapôle. The areas dedicated to the ECP IE (260 m²) consist of the following:

•  The fluvarium room (100 m²) contains a circular concrete aquarium (25 m³) divided into two 10 m sections, 16 rearing tanks, 16 removable aquariums, a laboratory bench, and storage cabinets for scientific equipment.
•  Two identical experimental rooms (5a and 5b, 10 m² each) containing a chronotron (a small, non-fixed circular aquarium of 400 L, dimensions 2 m x 0.5 m x 0.6 m, divided into two 1.5 m x 0.25 m sections).
• Room 6 (30 m²) contains fixed experimental troughs and the structure housing the respirometry equipment.
• An outdoor holding platform is located near the main building.

The facilities operate in closed, semi-closed, or open water circuits, depending on the type of experiment. They are supplied with mains water or water from the Nivelle River (stored in a 2000 m³ reservoir adjacent to the laboratory). For animal safety, a secure pump system ensures a continuous water supply to the aquariums, and staff are systematically on call. All rooms can be equipped with digital video equipment (underwater, aerial) for behavioral monitoring. Lighting is adjustable in intensity and wavelength (ultraviolet, visible light, infrared). Habitat structuring and environmental variations are possible through the installation of covers/shelters/artificial vegetation/pebbles and through variations in water depth, inflow/outflow rate, flow velocity, temperature, and day/night cycle.

Contact : Jean-Christophe Aymes