Artificial light at night (ALAN) affects behaviour, but does not change oxidative status in freshwater shredders

Artificial light at night (ALAN) alters circadian rhythms in animals and therefore can be a source of environmental stress affecting their physiology and behaviour. The impact of ALAN can be related to the increased light level, but also to the spectral composition of night lighting. Previous research showed that many species can be particularly sensitive to the LED light, but it is unclear if they respond to its broad spectrum or specifically to the blue light wavelength. In this study, we tested whether dim ALAN (2 lx) differing in the spectral quality (warm white LED, blue LED, high-pressure sodium HPS light) modifies behaviour and changes oxidative status in two nocturnal freshwater shredder species: Dikerogammarus villosus and Gammarus jazdzewskii (Gammaroidea, Amphipoda). Our experiment revealed that ALAN, irrespective of its spectral quality, did not affect the oxidative stress markers in cells (the level of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation). However, ALAN changed the gammarid behaviour in a species-specific manner, which can potentially reduce the fitness of the shredders. Dikerogammarus villosus avoided all types of light compared to darkness. Therefore, confined to the shelter, D. villosus may have fewer opportunities to forage and/or mate. Gammarus jazdzewskii was sensitive only to the narrow-spectrum blue light, but did not respond to the HPS and white LED light. Avoidance is a typical response of gammarids to natural light, thus the disruption of this behaviour in the presence of common ALAN sources can increase the predation risk in this species. To summarize, behavioural modifications induced by ALAN seem more pronounced than changes in physiology and can constitute the main driver of disturbances in the processing of organic matter in freshwater ecosystems by invertebrate shredders.

Automated summary

Artificial light at night (ALAN) can alter the circadian rhythms of animals and have an impact on their physiology and behavior. The effects of ALAN are related to the increased light level and the spectral composition of the light. Behavioral modifications induced by ALAN seem more pronounced than changes in physiology and can be the main driver of disturbances in the processing of organic matter in freshwater ecosystems by invertebrate shredders.