Ecophysiology and behavioral indicators of thermal stress in freshwater crab Himalayapotamon emphyseteum under experimental warming
- 1Institute of Zoological Sciences, University of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar 2500, Pakistan
- 2Department of Zoology, Women University Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Abstract
Global warming poses substantial challenges to ectothermic organisms, which depend on physiological and behavioral adjustments to maintain homeostasis under thermal stress. We examined the effects of experimental warming on oxygen consumption, ammonia excretion, feeding activity, surface activity, burrow retreat, and critical thermal maximum (CTMax) in Himalayapotamon emphyseteum. Crabs were exposed to three independent experimental temperatures (27, 31, and 33°C), and physiological and behavioral responses were assessed. Oxygen consumption rate increased significantly with temperature, from 1.917±0.192 mg O2 g−1 h−1 at 27°C to 3.606±0.631 mg O2 g−1 h−1 at 31°C and 5.835±0.792 mg O2 g−1 h−1 at 33°C (P<0.001). Ammonia excretion did not differ between 27 and 31°C but increased significantly at 33°C (P<0.001). Feeding rate and surface activity decreased significantly with increasing temperature, whereas burrow retreat increased significantly (P<0.001). CTMax was strongly affected by heating rate, increasing from 32.90±0.88°C at 1°C min−1 to 34.10±0.74°C at 1°C per 30 min and 35.90±0.32°C at 1°C h−1 (P<0.001). Experimental warming elicited pronounced physiological and behavioral responses, while measured upper thermal limits were strongly influenced by the heating rate and experimental protocol. Reduced feeding and surface activity, increased burrow retreat, and elevated metabolic rate indicate significant physiological and behavioral responses to warming.
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BibTeX
@article{tenzeela2026ecophysiology,
title = {{Ecophysiology and behavioral indicators of thermal stress in freshwater crab Himalayapotamon emphyseteum under experimental warming}},
author = {Tenzeela and Muhammad Adnan and Aisha Gul and Sanaullah Khan},
journal = {Biology Open},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1242/bio.062895},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1242/bio.062895},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Ecophysiology and behavioral indicators of thermal stress in freshwater crab Himalayapotamon emphyseteum under experimental warming
AU - Tenzeela
AU - Muhammad Adnan
AU - Aisha Gul
AU - Sanaullah Khan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/21
JO - Biology Open
DO - 10.1242/bio.062895
UR - https://doi.org/10.1242/bio.062895
AB - Global warming poses substantial challenges to ectothermic organisms, which depend on physiological and behavioral adjustments to maintain homeostasis under thermal stress. We examined the effects of experimental warming on oxygen consumption, ammonia excretion, feeding activity, surface activity, burrow retreat, and critical thermal maximum (CTMax) in Himalayapotamon emphyseteum. Crabs were exposed to three independent experimental temperatures (27, 31, and 33°C), and physiological and behavioral responses were assessed. Oxygen consumption rate increased significantly with temperature, from 1.917±0.192 mg O2 g−1 h−1 at 27°C to 3.606±0.631 mg O2 g−1 h−1 at 31°C and 5.835±0.792 mg O2 g−1 h−1 at 33°C (P<0.001). Ammonia excretion did not differ between 27 and 31°C but increased significantly at 33°C (P<0.001). Feeding rate and surface activity decreased significantly with increasing temperature, whereas burrow retreat increased significantly (P<0.001). CTMax was strongly affected by heating rate, increasing from 32.90±0.88°C at 1°C min−1 to 34.10±0.74°C at 1°C per 30 min and 35.90±0.32°C at 1°C h−1 (P<0.001). Experimental warming elicited pronounced physiological and behavioral responses, while measured upper thermal limits were strongly influenced by the heating rate and experimental protocol. Reduced feeding and surface activity, increased burrow retreat, and elevated metabolic rate indicate significant physiological and behavioral responses to warming.
SN - 2046-6390
ER -