What does the cryptic crossword clue "What's unfortunately upset crew — the alien creature? (10)" mean?

The definition is "of “creeping things”". The wordplay uses a reversal. ALAS (reversal="unfortunately") + MAN (synonym="to crew") + DER (synonym="German, i.e. alien, “the”") = SALAMANDER; definition: "of “creeping things”" The answer is SALAMANDER.

What's unfortunately upset crew — the alien creature? (10)

Guardian Cryptic #28910 | 14 Down | 2022-11-09 flower

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