Impact of acute temperature stress on the behavior, respiratory metabolism, tissue structure, and oxidative stress of Stichopus monotuberculatus

This study aims to explore the impact of acute temperature stresses on Stichopus monotuberculatus , focusing on behaviors, metabolic changes, tissue structures, and the activities of enzymes. S. monotuberculatus weighing 3.6 ± 1.12 g were selected to conduct acute temperature stress experiments and analyzed the physiological response of S. monotuberculatus to acute temperature stress. The results indicate that under extreme temperature stress, S. monotuberculatus exhibits significant reductions in activity and adhesion. High temperature stress led to an increase in respiratory metabolism. The main adaptive strategy to low temperature stress involved obtaining additional energy through protein metabolism. Acute temperature stress also caused structural damage to respiratory and digestive tissues, with the most severe deterioration observed in the 15 ℃ and 35 ℃ groups. The oxidative stress indicators (CAT, AKP and MDA) in the high-temperature groups was higher than that in the low-temperature groups and the control group. This study reported the response of S. monotuberculatus to temperature stress at the macroscopic level, providing macroscopic data for revealing its temperature tolerance mechanism, enriching the biological theory of this species, and having important guiding significance for temperature management in S. monotuberculatus aquaculture. • Temperature stress significantly decreases the activity and adhesion of S. monotuberculatus . • S. monotuberculatus exhibited a vigorous respiratory metabolism under high temperatures. • Acute temperature stress damages structure of tissues in S. monotuberculatus . • S. monotuberculatus was more adaptable to the low-temperature environment.