Climate change as a possible driver of invasion and differential in HSP70 expression in two genetically distinct populations of the invasive killer shrimp, Dikerogammarus villosus

Abstract

Global climate change is known to affect physiological processes in charge of cellular stress response. That often results in forcing many organisms to shift their biogeographic distribution ranges. It also holds true for euryoecious and highly invasive species like the killer shrimp, Dikerogammarus villosus. In this study we compare the level of response to thermal stress in two genetically diversified populations of the amphipod D. villosus on the cellular level, namely HSP70 expression. The results show clear difference in HSP70 expression, that can be a direct consequence of the different climatic conditions both populations faced along their invasion routes. We conclude that the eastern population of D. villosus is more sensitive to thermal stress than the western population, hence its invasion potential may be lower than that of the latter. Considering the thermal tolerance of both populations and global warming, we can make some predictions about further spread of D. villosus, including the possibility of an emergence of the super-invader that may arise after cross-breeding of both populations, imposing even larger threat to the freshwater ecosystems.

Incursions of sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, and striped bass, Morone saxatilis, in Labrador waters: Episodic events or evidence of a northward range expansion?

“…Recently, anthropogenic warming of ecosystems has been a major driver of species invasions (Hupało et al ., 2018). Globally, numerous taxa are expanding their natural distributions poleward, including insects, birds and various species of fish (Bilous & Dunmall, 2020; Hickling et al ., 2006; Pinsky et al ., 2020).…”

Some like it hot: factors impacting thermal preferences of two Ponto-Caspian amphipodsDikerogammarus villosus(Sovinsky, 1894) andDikerogammarus haemobaphes(Eichwald, 1841)

“…The eastern route is characterized with the harsh continental climate, whereas the western route is influenced by the calm Mediterranean and Atlantic climate. Hereby, Hupalo et al (2018) found that animals migrating through the eastern route were less tolerant to high temperatures than those from the western route. However, although our experiments were performed on the population from the eastern route, individuals of D. villosus appeared to group at warm temperatures, often exceeding the stressful temperature of 27 °C ( Hupalo et al, 2018 ).…”

“…Hereby, Hupalo et al (2018) found that animals migrating through the eastern route were less tolerant to high temperatures than those from the western route. However, although our experiments were performed on the population from the eastern route, individuals of D. villosus appeared to group at warm temperatures, often exceeding the stressful temperature of 27 °C ( Hupalo et al, 2018 ). This supports our above-mentioned hypothesis on the strategy of choosing the highest available temperature, used by this species to select an optimum microhabitat.…”

“…However, it has been demonstrated that D. villosus has reduced tolerance to higher temperature in waters of low conductivity ( Wijnhoven, Van Riel & Van der Velde, 2003 ). Interestingly, Hupalo et al (2018) showed that the temperature of 27 °C induces a thermal stress for D. vilossus , resulting in the production of heat shock proteins (HSP70). Nevertheless, Hupalo et al (2018) proved that the resistance of D. villosus to thermal stress was different in two European genetically distinctive populations.…”

“…Interestingly, Hupalo et al (2018) showed that the temperature of 27 °C induces a thermal stress for D. vilossus , resulting in the production of heat shock proteins (HSP70). Nevertheless, Hupalo et al (2018) proved that the resistance of D. villosus to thermal stress was different in two European genetically distinctive populations. This difference can be explained by different experiences of those populations, faced along two independent migration routes representing two different climatic-geographical regions.…”