•Brachyura can be an applied case study of conspicuous aquatic invaders.•Plasticity may enhance fitness upon stress and global change scenarios.•Trait-based plasticity to unravel brachyura ...invasiveness is poorly addressed.•Integrative approaches are proposed as indicative tools to disentangle bioinvasions.•More realistic scenarios would further assist policymakers and management practices.
Crustaceans are amongst the most reported invaders of coastal habitats, and predatory brachyuran crabs one of the most successful marine invasive groups. They hold high tolerance to abiotic stress and their genetic, life-history, and behavioural adaptation mechanisms prompt their invasive conspicuousness. However, there is a generalized ambiguity on the specific processes that make these bioinvasions successful. No trait-related patterns have yet been found, mostly since traits attributed solely to non-indigenous crab species lack confirmation by comparison with their native counterparts and across each other. Therefore, this review discusses the available literature on fitness and plasticity of brachyuran crabs under global changes, and advances the increasing importance of addressing native versus non-native invasive species comparisons in the annals of brachyura invasion dynamics. Further on, integrative approaches are highlighted and proposed as innovative tools to disentangle trait-related tolerance, overall crab phenotypic plasticity and further adaptation. These indicator tools will advance the knowledge on crabs’ invasive potential, which ultimately affects upcoming population dynamics and ecosystem services, adding value to an effective management of coastal bioinvasions.
Pharmaceutical compounds are continuously released into the aquatic environment, resulting in their ubiquitous presence in many estuarine and coastal systems. As pharmaceuticals are designed to ...produce effects at very low concentrations and target specific evolutionary conserved pathways, there are growing concerns over their potential deleterious effects to the environment and specifically to aquatic organisms, namely in early life-stages. In this context, the long-term effects of exposure of juvenile meagre Argyrosomus regius to three different pharmaceuticals were investigated. Fish were exposed to environmental concentrations of one of three major used pharmaceuticals: the antidepressant fluoxetine (0.3 and 3 μg/L for 15 days), the anti-hypertensive propranolol and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent diclofenac (0.3 and 15 μg/L for 30 days). Pharmaceuticals bioconcentration in fish muscle was examined, along with biomarkers in different tissues related with antioxidant and biotransformation responses (catalase, superoxide dismutase, ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase and glutathione S-transferase), energetic metabolism (lactate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase and electron transport system activities), neurotransmission (acetylcholinesterase activity) and oxidative damage (DNA damage and lipid peroxidation levels). Overall, each pharmaceutical had different potential for bioconcentration in the muscle (FLX > PROP > DCF) and induced different biological responses: fluoxetine was the most toxic compound to juvenile meagre, affecting fish growth, triggering antioxidant defense responses, inhibiting detoxification mechanisms and increasing lipid peroxidation and DNA damage in the liver; propranolol exposure increased DNA damage and decreased aerobic metabolism in fish muscle; and diclofenac showed no potential to bioconcentrate, yet it affected fish metabolism by increasing cellular energy consumption in the muscle and consequently reducing fish net energy budget. The diverse response patterns evidence the need for future research focused on pharmaceuticals with different modes of action and their exposure effects on organismal physiological mechanisms and homeostatic status. Ultimately, the combination of sub-individual and individual responses is key for ecologically relevant assessments of pharmaceutical toxicity.
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•Long-term exposure of meagre to pharmaceuticals with different modes of action.•Fluoxetine and propranolol bioconcentrated in fish muscle, but not diclofenac.•Fluoxetine reduced growth, inhibited biotransformation and caused oxidative stress.•Propranolol and diclofenac affected energy metabolism in meagre.•Different MOA resulted in differently affected mechanisms in Argyrosomus regius.
Aim
Comparing genetic structure in species with shared spatial ranges and ecological niches can help identify how dissimilar aspects of biology can shape differences in population connectivity. ...Similarly, where species are widely distributed across heterogeneous environments and major topographic barriers, knowledge of the structuring of populations can help reveal the impacts of factors which limit dispersal and/or drive divergence, aiding conservation management.
Location
European seas of the northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean.
Taxa
European clawed lobster (Homarus gammarus) and European crawfish (Palinurus elephas), two sympatric, heavily fished decapods with extensive dispersal potential.
Methods
By RAD‐sequencing 214 H. gammarus from 32 locations and 349 P. elephas from 15 locations, we isolated 6340 and 7681 SNP loci, respectively. Using these data to characterise contemporary population structuring, we investigate potential spatial and environmental drivers of genomic heterogeneity.
Results
We found higher levels of differentiation among clawed lobsters than crawfish, both globally and within basins, and demonstrate where known hydrographic and topographic barriers generate shared patterns of divergence, such as a genetic break between the Atlantic and Mediterranean basins. Genetic structure not common to both species is principally apparent in the Atlantic portions of their range, where clawed lobster exhibits a genetic cline and increased differentiation towards range margins, while crawfish appear effectively panmictic throughout this region.
Main Conclusions
We attribute the comparative lack of crawfish population structuring to their greater dispersal tendencies via a longer pelagic larval duration and sporadic adult movements. In contrast, genetic connectivity in clawed lobster is relatively restricted, with the correlation of site of origin and temperature to geographical heterogeneity at many divergent loci indicative of both neutral and adaptive processes. Our results help inform how contemporary management can account for likely demographic connectivity and marry the conservation of genomic variation with sustainable fisheries in these ecologically and economically important crustaceans.
Global warming and the subsequent increase in the frequency of temperature anomalies are expected to affect marine and estuarine species' population dynamics, latitudinal distribution, and fitness, ...allowing non-native opportunistic species to invade and thrive in new geographical areas. Bivalves represent a significant percentage of the benthic biomass in marine ecosystems worldwide, often with commercial interest, while mediating fundamental ecological processes. To understand how these temperature anomalies contribute to the success (or not) of biological invasions, two closely related species, the native
and the introduced
, were exposed to a simulated heat wave. Organisms of both species were exposed to mean summer temperature (~18 °C) for 6 days, followed by 6 days of simulated heat wave conditions (~22 °C). Both species were analysed for key ecological processes such as bioturbation and nutrient generation-which are significant proxies for benthic function and habitat quality-and subcellular biomarkers-oxidative stress and damage, and energetic metabolism. Results showed subcellular responses to heat waves. However, such responses were not expressed at the addressed ecological levels. The subcellular responses to the heat wave in the invasive
pinpoint less damage and higher cellular energy allocation to cope with thermal stress, which may further improve its fitness and thus invasiveness behaviour.
Phenomena such as global warming, rising sea temperatures and extreme weather and climate anomalies such as floods and heat waves have been shown to alter absolute salinity values. While affecting ...marine and estuarine population dynamics, these scenarios may also favour the invasion and proliferation of opportunistic and potentially harmful species in new geographical areas—such as blooming jellyfish. These organisms are one of the less studied taxa, particularly the proliferative asexual benthic phase, to which effects of in situ and experimental global change scenarios are poorly addressed. Acclimation and plasticity to global change scenarios were individually assessed through life history and physiological responses (survival, settlement time, time until maturity, feeding activity, asexual reproduction and behaviour) of laboratory-reared ciliated buds and polyps (= scyphostomae) of the invasive
Phyllorhiza punctata
(Cnidaria: Rhizostomeae). The present study evaluated the effects of two temperature levels (21 °C—current thermal scenario, or 25 °C—warming scenario) and six salinity regimes resembling estuarine and marine conditions (15, 20, 25, 30, 35 or 40) during 21 days. Under warming,
P. punctata
scyphostomae showed faster development and budding rates upon estuarine-like salinities, but higher mortality and reduced development under marine-like conditions—an ecological niche trade-off since at 21 °C such pattern was not found. Overall, our results suggest that global changes might prompt
P. punctata
proliferation through polyp colonisation mainly in estuarine areas and potentially increase blooming events with further implications at local and regional scales.
Sulfoxaflor is an insecticide belonging to the recent sulfoximine class, acting as a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChRs) agonist. There are few studies regarding sulfoxaflor's toxicity to ...non-target organisms. The present study aimed to investigate the acute and sub-lethal effects of sulfoxaflor on
by addressing survival, behaviour (feed intake and motricity), and neuromuscular, detoxification and oxidative stress, and energy metabolism biomarkers. Adult male green crabs were exposed to sulfoxaflor for 96 h and an LC
of 2.88 mg L
was estimated. All biomarker endpoints were sampled after three (T3) and seven (T7) days of exposure and behavioural endpoints were addressed at T3 and day six (T6). Sulfoxaflor affected the feed intake and motricity of
at T6. From the integrated analysis of endpoints, with the increase in concentrations of sulfoxaflor, after seven days, one can notice a lower detoxification capacity (lower GST), higher LPO levels and effects on behaviour (higher motricity effects and lower feed intake). This integrated approach proved to be valuable in understanding the negative impacts of sulfoxaflor on green crabs, while contributing to the knowledge of this pesticide toxicity to non-target coastal invertebrates.
The present study evaluated the effects of exposure to different target pCO2 levels: control (C: 370μatm, pH=8.15) and ocean acidification (OA: 710μatm, pH=7.85) on development and biochemical ...responses related with oxidative stress and energy metabolism during the crustacean Homarus gammarus (L.) larval development, integrating different levels of biological organization. After hatching in the laboratory, larvae from the same female brood were exposed to the described conditions from hatching until reaching Stage III (last larval stage - 11days). H. gammarus larvae demonstrated some susceptibility when addressing the predicted pCO2 levels for 2100. Further analysis at the biochemical and physiological level highlighted the occurrence of oxidative stress in the OA scenario (Superoxide Dismutase reduction and higher DNA damage) that was followed by developmental effects, increased inter-moult period from SII to SIII and reduced growth. The extended exposure to these conditions may affect organisms' key life-cycle functions such as physiological resistance, growth, sexual maturation, or reproduction with implications in their future fitness and population dynamics.
The aquaculture of meagre (Argyrosomus regius), a commercially important fish species, is still under development towards its full potential and optimized production. While its key strengths in fish ...farming, including high growth rate, efficient feed conversion ratio, superior flesh quality, nutritional value, size, and established husbandry techniques, are well-known, further scientific research can unlock additional rearing opportunities for this species. As migratory fish, meagre spends its early life stages in estuaries before moving to coastal and offshore areas, experiencing diverse environmental conditions that significantly influence its feeding behavior, growth, and reproduction. Despite its adaptability, meagre production has been limited to sea cages and land-based salt ponds. Considering its high tolerance to a wide range of factors, particularly salinity, the present study aimed to evaluate the stress and biochemical costs associated with rearing meagre fingerlings under hypo-osmotic environments. The objective was to enhance aquaculture practices and explore the possibility of cultivating this species in more diverse locations without compromising productivity. Meagre fingerlings were reared under different salinities for 28 days, namely at 5, 10, 20, and 30 PSU. Growth rate was calculated, and biochemical responses associated with oxidative stress and energy metabolism were measured in muscle, liver, and heart tissues. Meagre fingerlings displayed remarkable euryhaline characteristics at the biochemical level, as evidenced by their limited response to the varying salinity conditions. An increase in oxidative stress responses and energetic demand was found, together with higher growths, at higher concentrations (20 and 30 PSU), farther from the meagre isoosmotic concentration (∼10 PSU). Understanding these biochemical responses enhances our knowledge of aquaculture techniques and paves the way for adapting and expanding operations to diverse environmental conditions and practices. By leveraging the euryhaline potential of meagre, this research contributes to the sustainable growth of the aquaculture industry while offering new perspectives to produce this valuable fish species.
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•Meagre fingerlings were reared under different hypo-osmotic conditions.•Growth rate and biochemical responses were assessed.•Higher oxidative stress and energetic demands in higher salinities tested.•Higher growth was found at non- isoosmotic concentrations.•Euryhaline potential of meagre offers new perspectives to produce this species.
The availability of phenotyping tools to assist breeding programs in the selection of high-quality crop seeds is of obvious interest with consequences for both seed producers and consumers. Seed ...germination involves the activation of several metabolic pathways, such as cellular respiration to provide the required ATP and reducing power. This work tested the applicability of calorespirometry, the simultaneous measurement of heat and CO
rates, as a phenotyping tool to assess seed respiratory properties as a function of temperature. The effect of temperature on seed germination was evaluated after 16 h of seed imbibition by calorespirometric experiments performed in isothermal mode at 15, 20, 25, and 28°C on the seeds of three cultivars of peas (
L.) commonly used in conventional agriculture (cvs. 'Rondo', 'Torta de Quebrar', and 'Maravilha d'América'). Significant differences in metabolic heat rate and CO
production rate (R
) as well as in the temperature responses of these parameters were found among the three cultivars. A seed germination trial was conducted during the 6 days of imbibition to evaluate the predictive power of the parameters derived from the calorespirometric measurements. The germination trial showed that the optimal germination temperature was 20°C and low germination rates were observed at extreme temperatures (15 or 28°C). The cv. 'Torta de Quebrar' showed significantly higher germination in comparison with the other two cultivars at all three temperatures. In comparison with the other two cultivars, 'Torta de Quebrar' has the lowest metabolic heat and CO
rates and the smallest temperature dependence of these measured parameters. Additionally, 'Torta de Quebrar' has the lowest values of growth rate and carbon use efficiency calculated from the measured variables. These data suggest that calorespirometry is a useful tool for phenotyping physiologic efficiency at different temperatures during early germination stages, and can determine the seeds with the highest resilience to temperature variation, in this case 'Torta de Quebrar'.
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