Thermal acclimation, heat shock and photoperiod: Do these factors interplay in the adaptive responses of crab neuromuscular systems to temperature?

► Acclimation affected crab neuromuscular properties and muscle force generation. ► Heat shock resulted in an increase in Critical Thermal Maximum. ► Short-day photoperiod increased muscle force generation in cold acclimated crabs. ► Seasonal acclimatization is likely to involve factors in addition to temperature. ► Acute stress rather than acclimation is likely to be more significant for Carcinus.