Seasonal and perennial water populations of an endemic crayfish differ in behavioural responses to drying but not metabolism

Crayfish perform important roles within freshwater ecosystems, including in regions where global warming is causing prolonged drying of waterbodies. However, little is known about responses of crayfish to habitat drying from both a behavioural and physiological perspective. We compared burrowing ability, survival and metabolism of the crayfish Cherax quinquecarinatus from a seasonal stream and a perennial stream. Burrowing ability and crayfish survival were quantified in a mesocosm experiment contrasting sediment type (sand vs. clay/sand mixture) and water regime. Aerobic scope, standard metabolic rate (SMR) and maximum metabolic rate (MMR) were also compared using intermittent flow respirometry. Crayfish from the seasonal stream showed limited burrowing ability but higher survival in the drying treatment, while the perennial stream crayfish burrowed strongly in the clay/sand sediment. Higher survival suggests that crayfish from seasonal streams might be physiologically better adapted to drying. Larger crayfish burrowed more proficiently, reaching the saturated hyporheic zone refuge in the clay/sand sediment treatment. SMR/MMR/aerobic scope did not differ between populations or respirometry runs; however, SMR differed between individuals, perhaps due to personality traits. There was a significant negative relationship between MMR/aerobic scope and weight. Sediment type may limit C. quinquecarinatus burrowing and persistence through drying. Crayfish populations did not differ in terms of metabolism; however, crayfish from seasonal habitats may possess more efficient physiological adaptations to drying. This study highlights the need for greater research attention on the effects of climatic drying on both the behaviour and the physiology of species exposed to climate change.

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Title: Seasonal and perennial water populations of an endemic crayfish differ in behavioural responses to drying but not metabolism
Authors/Creators: H. Emery-Butcher
Stephen Beatty - Murdoch University, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems
Belinda Robson - Murdoch University, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems
Publication Details: Ecohydrology, Vol.16(6), e2566
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Identifiers: 991005585964007891
Copyright: © 2023 The Authors.
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences; Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems
Resource Type: Journal article

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Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.2 Marine Biology; 3.2.659 Decapoda
Web Of Science research areas: Ecology; Environmental Sciences; Water Resources
ESI research areas: Environment/Ecology