Effects of Chronic Thermal Stress on Molt Regulation of the Flattened Porcelain Crab, Petrolisthes cinctipes
Jaren Kauzlarich
Department of Biology
Faculty Supervisor: Jonathon Stillman
Climate change is altering marine environments through increased temperature and associated abiotic stressors, with potentially severe consequences for intertidal organisms. The rocky intertidal crab Petrolisthes cinctipes experiences pronounced thermal and chemical fluctuations and relies on tightly regulated ecdysis for growth and survival. Disruption of this hormonally driven process may compromise exoskeletal integrity and physiological performance. This study investigates the effects of chronic thermal stress on molting structure and endocrine regulation in P. cinctipes. Adult crabs will be exposed to simulated tidal cycles under constant or elevated aerial temperatures. Molted exuviae will be analyzed using scanning electron microscopy to assess carbonate mineralogy and structural integrity. Additionally, expression of the ecdysteroid receptor (EcR) mRNA will be quantified via qPCR and circulating ecdysteroid hormone levels will be measured using ELISA. I hypothesize that chronic thermal stress will weaken exoskeletal structure and increase both EcR mRNA expression and ecdysteroid concentrations. These findings will provide insight into how rising temperatures may disrupt molting physiology in intertidal decapods and inform predictions of organismal resilience under climate change.