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Mpopetsi PP, Kadye WT. Functional diversity does not explain the co-occurrence of non-native species within a flow-modified African river system. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2024; 104:1262-1275. [PMID: 37837275 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Globally, there is growing concern on the occurrence of multiple non-native species within invaded habitats. Proliferation of multiple non-native species together with anthropogenic-driven habitat modifications raise questions on the mechanisms facilitating the co-occurrence of these species and their potential impact within the recipient systems. Using the Great Fish River system (South Africa) which is anthropogenically-modified by inter-basin water transfer (IBWT), as a case study, this research employed trait-based approaches to explore patterns associated with the co-occurrence of multiple non-native fish species. This was achieved by investigating the role of functional diversity of non-native and native fishes in relation to their composition, distribution and environmental relationships. Nineteen functional traits that defined two broad ecological attributes (habitat use and feeding) were determined for 13 fish species that comprised eight native and five non-native fishes. We used these data to, firstly, evaluate functional diversity patterns and to compare functional traits of native and non-native fishes in the Great Fish River system. Secondly, we employed multivariate ordination analyses (factor analysis, RLQ and fourth-corner analyses) to investigate interspecific trait variations and potential species-trait-environmental relationships. From a functional diversity perspective, there were no significant differences in most functional diversity indices between native and non-native species. Despite interspecific variation in body morphology-related traits, we also found no clear separation between native and non-native species based on the ordination analysis of the functional traits. Furthermore, while RLQ ordination showed broad spatial patterns, the fourth-corner analyses revealed no significant relationships among species distribution, functional traits and environmental variables. The weak species-trait-environment relationship observed in this study suggests that environmental filtering was likely a poor determinant of functional trait structure within the Great Fish River. Modification of the natural flow regime may have weakened the relationship between species traits and the environment as has been shown in other systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pule P Mpopetsi
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Wilbert T Kadye
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda, South Africa
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Tarkan AS, Haubrock PJ, Aksu S, Mol O, Balzani P, Emiroğlu Ö, Köse E, Kurtul I, Başkurt S, Çınar E, Oztopcu-Vatan P. Predicting the potential implications of perch (Perca fluviatilis) introductions to a biodiversity-rich lake using stable isotope analysis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17635. [PMID: 37848487 PMCID: PMC10582113 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44865-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological invasions, particularly of fish species, significantly threaten aquatic ecosystems. Among these invaders, the introduction of the European perch (Perca fluviatilis) can have particularly detrimental effects on native communities, affecting both ecosystem functioning and human well-being. In this study, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis was employed, using perch originating from five different ecosystems, to model the effects of their hypothetical introduction into İznik Lake, an economically and ecologically important, biodiversity-rich lake in northern Turkey, to ultimately assess their potential predation impact and competition with native predators. The results revealed that if perch were introduced to the community, they would - considering gape size limitations - primarily prey upon Vimba vimba and Rutilus rutilus, indicating a significant feeding pressure on these species. Furthermore, the study identified a potential overlap and competition for resources between commonly mesopredator perch and the European catfish Silurus glanis, the current top predator in the ecosystem. Both species would occupy top predatory positions, emphasizing the potential disruption of predator-prey dynamics. Our findings underscore the potential ecological repercussions of perch invasions. The selective predation on V. vimba and R. rutilus, with the latter being consumed to a lesser extent by perch, could lead to cascading effects throughout the food web, altering the community structure, and ecosystem dynamics. Additionally, the competition between perch and S. glanis raises concerns about effects on the stability and functioning of the fish community. These results highlight the need for proactive management strategies to mitigate the risk of perch introductions. Strict regulations on the movement and introduction of invasive species, along with comprehensive monitoring, are crucial for preserving native communities and maintaining the ecological integrity of freshwater ecosystems. Our study demonstrates the potential predation impact of perch on vulnerable fish species and the competition with the established apex predator, emphasizing the importance of considering the ecological consequences of perch invasions and informing management decisions to ensure the conservation and sustainability of aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Serhan Tarkan
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Fisheries, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Menteşe, Muğla, Turkey.
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole, Dorset, UK.
- Department of Ecology and Vertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łodz, Łodz, Poland.
| | - Phillip J Haubrock
- Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Gelnhausen, Germany.
- Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Centre of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic.
- CAMB, Center for Applied Mathematics and Bioinformatics, Gulf University for Science and Technology, Al-Abdullah, Kuwait.
| | - Sadi Aksu
- Vocational School of Health Services, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Oğuzcan Mol
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Paride Balzani
- Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Centre of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Özgür Emiroğlu
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Esengül Köse
- Department of Environmental Protection, Technologies, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Irmak Kurtul
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole, Dorset, UK
- Marine and Inland Waters Sciences and Technology Department, Faculty of Fisheries, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sercan Başkurt
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Emre Çınar
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Pinar Oztopcu-Vatan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
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Balzani P, Haubrock PJ. Expanding the invasion toolbox: including stable isotope analysis in risk assessment. NEOBIOTA 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.76.77944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Species introductions are a major concern for ecosystem functioning, socio-economic wealth, and human well-being. Preventing introductions proved to be the most effective management strategy, and various tools such as species distribution models and risk assessment protocols have been developed or applied to this purpose. These approaches use information on a species to predict its potential invasiveness and impact in the case of its introduction into a new area. At the same time, much biodiversity has been lost due to multiple drivers. Ways to determine the potential for successful reintroductions of once native but now extinct species as well as assisted migrations are yet missing. Stable isotope analyses are commonly used to reconstruct a species’ feeding ecology and trophic interactions within communities. Recently, this method has been used to predict potentially arising trophic interactions in the absence of the target species. Here we propose the implementation of stable isotope analysis as an approach for assessment schemes to increase the accuracy in predicting invader impacts as well as the success of reintroductions and assisted migrations. We review and discuss possibilities and limitations of this methods usage, suggesting promising and useful applications for scientists and managers.
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Wang Y, Ren L, Xu DP, Fang DA. Exploring the trophic niche characteristics of four carnivorous Cultrinae fish species in Lihu Lake, Taihu Basin, China. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.954231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study found significant differences between the standard length distributions of humpback and redfin culter and between Mongolian culter and topmouth culter. A stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N) was used to investigate the interspecies differences between the feeding habits and trophic niches of four carnivorous species of Cultrinae fish. The results showed that the δ13C and δ15N values were significantly correlated with the standard length and species. However, the δ13C values of humpback and redfin culter were not significantly different, suggesting that these two fish species had similar food sources. The δ15N values of Mongolian culter and topmouth culter were the highest, suggesting that they occupied a higher trophic level and that animal prey was more important in their diets. Moreover, variations in δ13C and δ15N indicated considerable niche overlap and interspecific competition among the four species. We also evaluated trophic niches, diversity, redundancy, and evenness utilizing isotopic niche metrics, and we estimated asymmetrical niche overlaps. The analysis revealed that four carnivorous species of Cultrinae displayed similar trophic niche sizes and trophic diversity. The trophic traits of topmouth culter clearly defined them as a trophic generalist in terms of the inter-individual variability in their isotopic niches. A significant finding was that the average niche overlap between them was as high as 64.02%; topmouth culter had the greatest trophic overlap with redfin culter (95.52%) and humpback (90.38%), followed by Mongolian culter onto redfin culter (85.32%), indicating that topmouth culter and Mongolian culter benefit the most from the food supply in the habitat, or they are more competitive in the presence of limited resources.
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Balzani P, Kouba A, Tricarico E, Kourantidou M, Haubrock PJ. Metal accumulation in relation to size and body condition in an all-alien species community. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:25848-25857. [PMID: 34851482 PMCID: PMC8986740 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17621-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Metal pollution is one of the main environmental threats in freshwater ecosystems. Aquatic animals can accumulate these substances and transfer them across the food web, posing risks for both predators and humans. Accumulation patterns strongly vary depending on the location, species, and size (which in fish and crayfish is related to age) of individuals. Moreover, high metal concentrations can negatively affect animals' health. To assess the intraspecific relationship between metal accumulation and size and health (proxied by the body condition) of individuals, the concentration of 14 metals (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn) was analyzed in six alien species from the highly anthropogenically altered Arno River (Central Italy): five fish (Alburnus alburnus, Pseudorasbora parva, Lepomis gibbosus, Ictalurus punctatus, and Silurus glanis) and one crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). We found that in P. clarkii, Cu was negatively related to size, as well as Al in L. gibbosus and Mg for adult I. punctatus. Positive size-dependent relationships were found for Hg in L. gibbosus, Fe in S. glanis, and Cr in juvenile I. punctatus. Only Co and Mg in S. glanis were found to negatively correlate with individual health. Since metal concentrations in animal tissue depend on trade-offs between uptake and excretion, the few significant results suggest different types of trade-offs across different species and age classes. However, only predatory fish species (L. gibbosus, I. punctatus, and S. glanis) presented significant relationships, suggesting that feeding habits are one of the primary drivers of metal accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paride Balzani
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Antonín Kouba
- South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Elena Tricarico
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Melina Kourantidou
- Hellenic Center for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, 164 52, Athens, Greece
- Department of Sociology, Environmental and Business Economics, University of Southern Denmark, Degnevej 14, 6705, Esbjerg Ø, Denmark
| | - Phillip J Haubrock
- South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic.
- Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Clamecystrasse 12, 63571, Gelnhausen, Germany.
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Top-Karakuş N, Karakuş U, Tarkan AS. Niche segregation of a newly introduced invasive and co-occurring native fish species in a productive shallow lake (Manyas, NW Anatolia). JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.25225/jvb.21043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nildeniz Top-Karakuş
- Faculty of Fisheries, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Menteşe, Muğla, Turkey; e-mail: ,
| | - Uğur Karakuş
- Faculty of Fisheries, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Menteşe, Muğla, Turkey; e-mail: ,
| | - Ali Serhan Tarkan
- Faculty of Fisheries, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Menteşe, Muğla, Turkey; e-mail: ,
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Haubrock PJ, Balzani P, Matsuzaki SIS, Tarkan AS, Kourantidou M, Haase P. Spatio-temporal niche plasticity of a freshwater invader as a harbinger of impact variability. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 777:145947. [PMID: 33676206 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Invasive alien fishes have detrimental ecological effects on aquatic ecosystems and the services they provide. Impacts from an invasion in a single ecosystem may differ across space and time due to variability in prey availability and environmental conditions. We hypothesize that such variability can be profound, even within a single ecosystem. Stable isotopes analysis (SIA) is commonly used to quantitatively describe the trophic niche of a species. However, spatial and temporal variability in occupied niches are often not incorporated into management strategies and policy options. Here, we used long-term monitoring data to investigate the invasion stage as well as SIA to analyse the trophic niche of the invasive channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus in Lake Kasumigaura (Japan), a long-term ecological research site (LTER), across distant sampling sites and years. We found a significant spatio-temporal variability in relative growth and isotopic niche occupation. Moreover, we defined a new index, the Isotopic Plasticity Index (IPI), which is the ratio between core and total home range of an occupied isotopic niche, to be used as a proxy for the trophic niche stretch or density. We found that this IPI varied considerably, confirming the spatio-temporal variability in trophic niches, suggesting the IPI to be an adequate new isotopic metric. Our results further provide evidence for the existence of variation across invaded landscapes, implying heterogeneous impacts on recipient native communities. Therefore, our work emphasizes the importance of exploring trophic plasticity in feeding ecology and growth as such information enables a better understanding of impacts and can inform the design and implementation of effective management responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip J Haubrock
- Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Clamecystrasse 12, 63571 Gelnhausen, Germany; University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic.
| | - Paride Balzani
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Shin-Ichiro S Matsuzaki
- Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Studies, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba 305-8506, Japan
| | - Ali Serhan Tarkan
- Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Faculty of Fisheries, Muğla, Turkey; University of Łódź, Department of Ecology and Vertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Łódź, Poland
| | - Melina Kourantidou
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Marine Policy Center, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA; Hellenic Center for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Athens 164 52, Greece; University of Southern Denmark, Department of Sociology, Environmental and Business Economics, 6705 Esbjerg Ø, Denmark
| | - Peter Haase
- Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Clamecystrasse 12, 63571 Gelnhausen, Germany; University of Duisburg Essen, Faculty of Biology, Universitätsstraße 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
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