Volume 13, Issue 2 (2018)
published June 2018
Contents | |
Research articles |
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Konstantinos Tsiamis, Argyro Zenetos, Ivan Deriu, Eugenio Gervasini and Ana Cristina Cardoso
The native distribution range of the European marine non-indigenous species
(pp 187–198)
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In this study, we have performed a large-scale assessment on the native distribution range of the marine non-indigenous species (NIS)
found in at least one of the European Seas (Mediterranean, NE Atlantic Ocean, Black, Baltic Sea). As a basis, we have used the most updated
pan-European NIS inventory, provided by the European Alien Species Information Network. All taxonomic groups have been considered
for this analysis, taking into account established NIS in European Seas (824 taxa in total). The vast majority of the European marine NIS
have their native distribution in the Western and Central Indo-Pacific, being mostly associated with introductions into the Mediterranean
Sea through the Suez Canal. However, this overall pattern is heavily influenced by the fact that 76% of all NIS primary introductions
in Europe have been reported first from the Mediterranean Sea. A more detailed analysis revealed various patterns of the dominating
native distributions of the primarily introduced NIS in Europe, depending on the European marine subregions where they have been initially
introduced and their associated pathways. There seems to be a general decrease in NIS introductions in Europe, especially when it comes
to NIS with native distribution in the Temperate Northern Pacific, although this trend should be treated with caution. The information
provided in the current study can be useful for tailored management of specific primary pathways per marine subregion, supporting
prioritization efforts. |
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Jenae Olson, Josi J. Robertson, Todd M. Swannack, Robert F. McMahon, Weston H. Nowlin and Astrid N. Schwalb
Dispersal of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) downstream of an invaded reservoir
(pp 199–209)
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Zebra mussels, Dreissena polymorpha, have recently invaded Central Texas. More information is needed to predict their spread
in this region and inform management decisions. In this study, we examined riverine zebra mussel dispersal from, and settlement downstream of,
a recently invaded reservoir, Lake Belton. Veliger samples and settlement of juveniles on artificial substrata were monitored at sites within
Lake Belton and 0.4 to 54.7 river kilometers (rkm) downstream from the lake outlet. Veliger density varied greatly across space and time with
peak densities of live veligers found in both early summer (May–June) and fall (October). High juvenile settlement occurred consistently
at 2.5 and 6.0 rkm downstream. Juvenile settlement was not observed ≥ 13 rkm downstream until the spring of 2016 after a period of prolonged
increased river discharge. Our findings suggest that mussels were dispersal limited in 2015, and prolonged periods of increased river discharge
may have facilitated their dispersal further downstream in 2016. |
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Dominik Halas, Nathan Lovejoy and Nicholas E. Mandrak
Undetected diversity of goldfish (Carassius spp.) in North America
(pp 211–219)
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The goldfish (Carassius auratus) is one of the most readily recognizable fish species in the world. It is found worldwide as a pet,
is commonly eaten in many countries, and has been introduced purposefully or inadvertently worldwide. Several of its lesser-known relatives
in the genus Carassius have also been introduced outside of their native Eurasian range. In North America, Carassius auratus
was first introduced in the mid-1800s and now widely occurs across the continent. The only other Carassius species known to be currently
present in North America is Carassius gibelio, recently reported from Alberta. In this study, we sequenced cytochrome b
in Carassius specimens from across North America. We confirm the widespread presence of Carassius auratus, record
Carassius gibelio from Saskatchewan as well as Alberta, and report the first known occurrence of Carassius langsdorfii
in North America, in British Columbia and California. Given their known impacts and high risk, management efforts should be implemented
to minimize the spread of Carassius species in North America. |
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Susumu Ohtsuka, Takaki Shimono, Takeaki Hanyuda, Xu Shang, Changjiang Huang, Ho Young Soh, Wim Kimmerer, Hiroshi Kawai, Hiroshi Itoh, Takashi Ishimaru and Ko Tomikawa
Possible origins of planktonic copepods, Pseudodiaptomus marinus (Crustacea: Copepoda: Calanoida), introduced from East Asia to the San Francisco Estuary based on a molecular analysis
(pp 221–230)
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The calanoid copepod Pseudodiaptomus marinus Sato, 1913 is native to the coasts of East Asia, but has occurred
in the San Francisco Estuary (SFE) as a non-indigenous species since 1986. Genetic analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome
b locus (400 bp) was used to infer the possible origin(s) of the introduced SFE population by comparison between
the SFE population and populations from potential donor areas in Japan, Korea, and China. We detected 39 haplotypes
from 131 individuals from 7 localities. The SFE population showed a high haplotype diversity and significant
Fst
values among the localities, suggesting that multiple introductions from several localities in Japan may have occurred, although
introductions from Korea could not be ruled out. However, based on the morphological and molecular data the population from Xiamen,
China, previously identified as P. marinus, was found to be a separate species. Possible vectors for P. marinus
include ship ballast water or aquaculture. Our results also suggest the origin of P. marinus in the Asian continent
and subsequent isolation and expansion of populations in Japan. |
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Fouad El-Shehabi, David J. Marcogliese and Kenneth Oliveira
New North American paratenic hosts of Anguillicola crassus and molecularly-inferred source of invasion
(pp 231–246)
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Brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus), pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) collected
from the Paskamansett River, Massachusetts, were infected with larval Anguillicola crassus. These are new records of paratenic
hosts of A. crassus in North America, although infected brown bullhead and pumpkinseed have been found in Europe. Prevalence was
64–100% and mean abundance 5.50–9.32. Morphological identification of L3 was confirmed by molecular sequence analysis of mitochondrial
cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI, barcode) and the nuclear large subunit nLSU (28S) ribosomal RNA genes. Analysis of COI sequences
from larval and adult worms from the Paskamansett River and nLSU (sequences from those L3 and adults from the Mira River, Cape Breton,
Nova Scotia) showed that the COI gene better discriminated among species of Anguillicola than did the nLSU gene. At least
9% difference in sequence similarity was found between A. crassus and other species with COI, whereas there was overlap
in the nLSU sequence similarity between A. crassus and other Anguillicola species. Comparative sequence analysis suggests
that North American A. crassus originated from Japan, whereas European A. crassus originated from Taiwan, in agreement
with previous studies. Two single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, SNP390 and SNP91 in COI and nLSU, respectively, are informative
for differentiating between North American and European sources. Analyses with both genes also supports the monophyly of the Anguillicolidae. |
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Ignacio Gestoso, Patrício Ramalhosa and João Canning-Clode
Biotic effects during the settlement process of non-indigenous species in marine benthic communities
(pp 247–259)
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Biotic interactions, particularly predation/grazing and competition, are key factors limiting the introduction success
of non-indigenous species (NIS). In addition, positive interactions are considered important drivers of community structure,
and both positive and negative interactions between native and NIS can determine the ability of communities to resist NIS invasions.
This study was conducted in Madeira Island (NE Atlantic) to evaluate how predation and facilitation will affect settlement success of NIS.
We manipulated the access of predators to bare and partially pre-invaded PVC settling plates to later be exposed to high propagule pressure
of NIS in a marina environment. Results indicate that NIS diversity was greater in pre-invaded treatments, but only on those plates exposed
to predators. Our findings suggest that positive interactions between established NIS and incoming settlers may promote the establishment
success of newcomer NIS under predation pressure. |
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Susanne Worischka, Luise Richter, Anne Hänig, Claudia Hellmann, Jochen Becker, Pavel Kratina and Carola Winkelmann
Food consumption of the invasive amphipod Dikerogammarus villosus in field mesocosms and its effects on leaf decomposition and periphyton
(pp 261–275)
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Invasive species can affect native communities by replacing competitors, overexploiting prey species or altering ecosystem structure.
One example is the Ponto-Caspian amphipod Dikerogammarus villosus which has established large populations in European rivers
and is widely considered as the main cause for the decline of native benthic invertebrates. This effect has been mainly associated
with direct predation, whereas the indirect effects via competition for primary resources are poorly understood and possibly underestimated.
To assess the probability of these indirect effects, we performed five outdoor flow-through mesocosm experiments in three European rivers,
manipulating the density of D. villosus. We quantified its in-situ food consumption during three 24-h gut content surveys in the mesocosms.
Gut evacuation rates for correction were measured in the laboratory for different food sources and under continuous feeding. We analysed
the invader’s effects on primary resources by quantifying periphyton biomass and community leaf litter decomposition in the mesocosms
at different D. villosus densities. The remarkably high food consumption rates (0.38–1.27 mg mg-1 d-1,
in dry mass/dry body mass) of D. villosus can be attributed to its high gut evacuation rates. The leaf litter decomposition
rates indicate that D. villosus is an efficient shredder; however, there was no effect on periphyton biomass. Our results indicate
that D. villosus may be a strong competitor with primary consumers in benthic food webs of invaded rivers, with both direct and indirect
negative effects on benthic communities. High consumption rates together with opportunistic feeding behaviour probably promote the invasion
success of this amphipod. |
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Laura Pompei, Daniela Giannetto and Massimo Lorenzoni
Range expansion of an invasive goby in the River Tiber basin (Central Italy): effects on the abundance and shelter occupancy of a congeneric native goby
(pp 277–288)
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Padogobius nigricans and Padogobius bonelli are two gobies native to Italy and characterized by an allopatric distribution:
P. nigricans is endemic to the Tyrrhenian catchment of central Italy, while P. bonelli is endemic to the Adriatic catchment
of Northern Italy. In the past two decades P. bonelli has successfully established in central Italy outside of its original area
of distribution, coming into contact with populations of P. nigricans. The superiority of P. bonelli in competition for breeding
sites is well documented by laboratory studies; however, little evidence from the field has been provided. In this study, the occurrence and
abundance of the two gobies were investigated in the River Tiber basin (central Italy) to assess the impacts of P. bonelli expansion on
P. nigricans populations. Moreover, to investigate nest interference by P. bonelli towards P. nigricans, shelter occupancy
of the two Italian gobies was investigated in the field with respect to individual density. Sampling was conducted by electrofishing in 77 sites
throughout the upper River Tiber basin and nest occupation was analyzed in 8 river stretches. Padogobius bonelli has further expanded
its distribution in recent years, following both natural and human-mediated dispersal patterns. It is numerically dominant over P. nigricans
and fewer P. nigricans juveniles were found in the invaded than the uninvaded areas. Depending on adult density, P. bonelli can occupy
up to 97% of nest sites and can seize a significant percentage of shelters even at low adult abundance. The expansion of P. bonelli into
newly colonized areas in recent years has increased concern for the conservation of P. nigricans. In the invaded areas, the survival of
P. nigricans populations is mostly through migration of individuals from the uninvaded areas located upstream of weirs, allowing isolated
populations of this vulnerable and endangered species to persist. |
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Radek Gebauer, Lukáš Veselý, Antonín Kouba, Miloš Buřič and Bořek Drozd
Forecasting impact of existing and emerging invasive gobiids under temperature change using comparative functional responses
(pp 289–297)
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Round goby Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814) and western tubenose goby Proterorhinus semilunaris (Heckel, 1837)
have recently expanded substantially beyond their native ranges, posing a threat to freshwater and brackish ecosystems. Both species
exert a detrimental effect on fish community structure directly via predation on fish eggs and indirectly via alterations of food webs.
While the impact of N. melanostomus is widely documented, P. semilunaris receives little attention and its effect on aquatic
communities has not yet been quantified. We compared aspects of their predation on common carp Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758 larvae
at 20 °C and 25 °C using the functional response (FR) approach, which has been developed and applied to forecast invader impact. Intra-specific
comparison showed no significant temperature dependency on assessed FR parameters, attack rate and handling time, suggesting broad temperature
tolerance of both tested predators. Proterorhinus semilunaris demonstrated a marginally higher attack rate at 20 °C compared to
N. melanostomus. The handling times did not differ between predators. Proterorhinus semilunaris showed a lower maximum feeding
rate at 25 °C compared to the rest of treatments suggesting lower temperature optima compared to N. melanostomus. Both predators showed
substantial maximum feeding rates, which may impact recruitment of native fish species. |
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Yahui Qiu and Jianbo Lu
Dynamic simulation of Spartina alterniflora based on CA-Markov model—a case study of Xiangshan bay of Ningbo City, China
(pp 299–309)
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Biological invasions are a global environmental problem. They have resulted in enormous ecological and economic consequences worldwide,
and they are among the greatest threats to biodiversity and ecosystem function. Spartina alterniflora, an invasive plant,
has caused great ecological influence since it was introduced to China over 30 years ago. According to supervised classification and visual
interpretation of three remote-sensing images (2002, 2006 and 2010), we attained the spatial population distribution of S. alterniflora
in Xiangshan Bay, Ningbo, Zhejiang province. To explore the topic further, dynamic change processes were also analyzed using the IDRISI software
and their spatial distributions in 2010 and 2014 predicted using a CA-Markov model. It was found that compared with remote-sensing image
interpretation maps in 2010 and 2013, accuracy verification yielded overall Kappa coefficients of 81.99% and 85.57% respectively, indicating
a good predictive result from the CA-Markov model. Therefore, the model can be used for long-term forecasting such as determining the dynamic
change processes and evolution trends of S. alterniflora in the Xiangshan area over the next 20 years. This can in turn provide guidance
for effective management and control of invasive plant populations such as S. alterniflora. |
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