# Environmental Stress Shaping Oxidative Responses in the Invasive Crayfish Procambarus clarkii from Lake Trasimeno

## TL;DR

The invasive crayfish Procambarus clarkii adjusts its oxidative stress responses to environmental changes in Lake Trasimeno, aiding its survival in fluctuating freshwater conditions.

## Contribution

This study reveals how environmental stressors influence oxidative responses in an invasive crayfish species, highlighting its physiological adaptability.

## Key findings

- Oxidative stress responses in Procambarus clarkii vary by tissue, sex, and season.
- Environmental factors like hydrometric level, temperature, and conductivity are linked to oxidative responses.
- The crayfish's physiological plasticity supports its success as an invasive species in variable freshwater ecosystems.

## Abstract

Procambarus clarkii (red swamp crayfish) exhibits physiological plasticity that enables adaptation to variable freshwater conditions, such as those in Lake Trasimeno. This study examined whether fluctuations in hydrometric level and associated physicochemical parameters affect oxidative stress responses in the hepatopancreas and abdominal muscle of male and female individuals. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and metallothionein reveal tissue, sex, and season-specific differences that indicate adaptive physiological adjustments. Temporal trends were evaluated, and multivariate analyses summarised environmental and metal gradients. Generalised Additive Models (GAMs) were used to explore relationships between oxidative responses and these gradients, with sex as a categorical factor. Associations were identified with hydrometric level, temperature, conductivity, transparency, pH, dissolved oxygen, and metals of biological relevance. These results highlight the remarkable physiological plasticity of P. clarkii, which underpins its success as an invasive species in fluctuating freshwater ecosystems.