Effects of sex and color phase on ion regulation in the invasive European green crab, Carcinus maenas

摘要: The European green crab, Carcinus maenas, is a globally invasive species with detrimental impacts on the ecology and economy in affected areas, focus of many studies has been to examine both its physiology gain better understanding this invasiveness. Green crabs exhibit ventral color change from yellow then orange red as they progress through intermolt. Previous documented phase males less tolerant environmental stress, but cellular- molecular-level investigations into sex differences regard these phases are lacking. In study, sexes were exposed low salinity (10 ppt) assessed for whole animal performance, indicators cellular stress energy status measured gills mRNA protein expression. Red individuals exhibited poorer performance during exposure, where females outperformed males. Consistently, higher hemolymph osmolality animals was facilitated increased expression ion transport drivers sexes, showed elevated levels under control conditions subsequently diminished upregulation exposure. Differential physiological responses can have significant impact future invasions species. approach study highlights resilience female revealing that taking molt cycle sex-dependent variability account crucial predicting success invasions.