Biochemical dynamics of the invasive clams Ruditapes philippinarum and Corbicula fluminea in response to caffeine concentrations under present and future climate scenarios

Abstract

Invasive species, such as the clams Corbicula fluminea and Ruditapes philippinarum, have significant impacts on freshwater and estuarine ecosystems, respectively. Their ability to thrive in new environments, despite environmental stressors, is due to effective defense and adaptative strategies. This study compared the responses of C. fluminea and R. philippinarum to caffeine (CAF) exposure at two different temperatures (17 and 21 °C). There were different responses between the species, driven by their basal biochemical values. R. philippinarum exhibited higher antioxidant activity and lipid oxidation, while C. fluminea had higher biotransformation and metabolic capacity, energy reserves content, and acetylcholinesterase activity. Under warmer conditions (21 °C), R. philippinarum activated more antioxidant and detoxification mechanisms, while also increasing its metabolism and energy reserves. In contrast, C. fluminea showed mainly additive effects of CAF exposure at 21 °C, with fewer signs of complex interactions. Further analysis revealed that R. philippinarum was more responsive to temperature changes, whereas C. fluminea was more sensitive to CAF. Both species demonstrated resilience, avoiding significant cellular damage despite stress, which has important implications for managing invasive species and mitigating their impacts on aquatic ecosystems in the face of climate change and pollution.