The pages of this journal are full of remarkable stories of scientists working with extraordinary and commonplace creatures to understand how these species survive and interact with their environment. None of these studies could have been undertaken without the contributions of the central protagonists themselves, and in the fields of biomedical research and ecotoxicology, large numbers of vertebrate model organisms contribute to our understanding of disease and the impact of pollution in the

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... vironment. With recent rapid changes in climate and the degradation of many environments, animal research has never been more significant. However, this expansion has been accompanied by increasing awareness of the welfare of the animals that contribute to our growing knowledge and a rising appreciation of the three Rs (3Rs)replacement, reduction and refinementwhich underpin the ethical use of animals in research.