Sex-Biased Survival, Behavior Response, and Recovery Performance of Pomacea canaliculata Snails to Drought Stress and Rewatering Condition

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In this study, we investigated the survival rate of P. canaliculata and explored the differential responses and mechanisms of female and male P. canaliculata under drought stress through a simulated drought experiment. Our findings revealed that female P. canaliculata produced a large number of eggs before burrowing into the soil when faced with drought condition. Furthermore, we observed that the feeding and activity of female P. canaliculata were more active than those of the males after rewatering following drought stress. Additionally, there were some gender differences in the antioxidant system of P. canaliculata after rewatering following drought stress. We expect that this research will be useful for a better understanding of how P. canaliculata tolerates and recovers from drought stress, which may aid in explaining the success of their invasions and predicting mollusk responses to climate change. ABSTRACT: As the frequency of droughts increases with climate change, the tolerance of aquatic organisms to abiotic stressors will become critical determinants of survival. Pomacea canaliculata has become a widely distributed agricultural and environmental pest in southern China. To evaluate their tolerance and adaptation under the drought condition, the survival, feeding, behavior, and antioxidant system changes in female and male P. canaliculata were investigated during drought stress and rewatering process through an indoor simulation experiment. The results showed that female snails laid eggs before burrowing into the soil to ensure offspring reproduction. Female P. canaliculata had higher survival rates than males under drought stress, and their recovery ability of activity after rewatering was also superior to those of males. The antioxidant system of P. canaliculata showed obvious activation with gender differences after rewatering. Overall, the survival rate of female P. canaliculata was higher after drought stress, and the resilience ability of female snails after rewatering was stronger, including in their behavior, feeding, and antioxidant system recovery. The P. canaliculata tolerance to drought and the ability to recover quickly after drought may contribute to their long-term survival and facilitate continuous invasion.