Thermal tolerance of the male freshwater prawn Cryphiops caementarius exposed to different acclimation temperatures

The variation in water temperature influences metabolic and biochemical processes in ectothermic organisms, affecting development, behavior, and thermal responses. We conducted laboratory experiments based on different acclimation temperatures to determine the thermal tolerance in male specimens of the freshwater prawn Cryphiops caementarius. During 30 days, male prawns were exposed to acclimation temperatures of 19 degrees C (control), 24 degrees C, and 28 degrees C treatments. The Critical Thermal Maxima (CTMax) values at these acclimation temperatures were 33.42 degrees C, 34.92 degrees C, and 36.80 degrees C; whereas values for the Critical Thermal Minimum (CTMin) were 9.38 degrees C, 10.57 degrees C, and 13.88 degrees C. All acclimation temperature treatments had a positive effect (P < 0.05) on CTMax and CTMin, with high and significant correlations (CTMax: r = 0.992, P < 0.01; CTMin: r = 0.946, P < 0.01). The area of the thermal tolerance polygon over the three acclimation temperatures was 211.32 C2 and the acclimation response rate values were high (CTMax from 0.30 to 0.47; CTMin from 0.24 to 0.83) but similar to those from other tropical crustacean species. These results demonstrate that adult males of the freshwater prawn C. caementarius can tolerate extreme water temperatures through a thermal plasticity response, which could be advantageous during a global warming scenario.

Automated summary

The variation in water temperature can affect metabolic and biochemical processes in ectothermic organisms, leading to changes in development, behavior, and thermal responses. In this study, male specimens of the freshwater prawn Cryphiops caementarius were exposed to different acclimation temperatures, and it was found that these temperatures influenced the prawn's thermal tolerance. The results demonstrate that the prawns have the ability to tolerate extreme water temperatures through thermal plasticity, which may be advantageous in the context of global warming.