Abstract
The aim of this work was to assess the adaptive capabilities of the spiny-cheek crayfish Orconectes limosus (Rafinesque, 1817) in the open coastal waters of the Baltic Sea. The results could help to predict the likely further expansion of this species and its colonization of brackish waters. The following aspects were discussed in the paper: the occurrence of the species in the Polish coastal zone of the Baltic Sea, the plasticity demonstrated in the body size of individual crayfishes, food preferences, hemolymph osmolality and reproduction in waters of different salinities, which enable the species to colonize brackish waters. In the Vistula Lagoon (salinity 2-3 PSU), where the population of O. limosus is stable, the length of individuals ranged from 77 to 118 mm. These crayfish mostly fed on fodder; the second and the third food preferences were crayfish abdominal muscle and green algae. O. limosus is a hyper-regulator in freshwaters and at low salinities (up to 13 PSU), and a hyporegulator at higher salinities (14, 21, 28, 35 PSU). Laboratory studies showed that the embryonic development of O. limosus at salinities of 3 and 7 PSU was normal and a high level of reproductive success was achieved. Salinity of 3 PSU is more favorable for the development of juveniles than 7 PSU. It seems to be just a matter of time before this crayfish starts to form populations in the brackish, coastal waters of the Baltic Sea.