Can artificial-light pollution affect the metabolic rate of red swamp, Procambarus clarkii Girard, 1852, and signal, Pacifastacus leniusculus Dana, 1852 crayfishes (Decapoda: Astacidea, Astacidae)?

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Abstract
Artificial light at night is an emerging environmental stressor with significant implications for aquatic ecosystems, influencing species’ behaviour and physiological processes. We examined the effects of artificial light at night on the routine metabolic rate of two widespread, invasive crayfish species, red swamp, Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) and signal, Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana, 1852). Crayfishes were exposed to light intensities mimicking urban nighttime lighting (20 lux) and natural daylight (1000 lux) to assess species-specific metabolic responses to artificial light at night. The results revealed distinct patterns: P. clarkii displayed no significant metabolic change (P = 0.331), suggesting a lower sensitivity to artificial light at night, whereas P. leniusculus showed a significant (P < 0.0001) reduction in routine metabolic rate under artificial light at night, likely due to behavioural adaptations related to reduced activity. Both species exhibited higher nocturnal routine metabolic rate compared to diurnal measurements, regardless of treatment, with routine metabolic rate of P. clarkii remaining elevated longer than that of P. leniusculus. These findings underscore the species-specific metabolic responses to artificial light at night, with potential ecological implications for their roles within aquatic ecosystems. The study enhances our understanding of invasion ecology by demonstrating how species-specific responses to environmental stressors like artificial light at night may influence their competitive dynamics and ecological impacts.
Funding Information
  • Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, the Hatch program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture

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