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A special issue of Fishes (ISSN 2410-3888). This special issue belongs to the section "Biology and Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 May 2023) | Viewed by 23752

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Dr. Ioannis E. Batjakas

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Guest Editor

Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean, 811 00 Mytilene, Greece
Interests: invasions; fishes; fish ethology; fisheries; feeding behaviour; fuctional morphology

Dr. Thodoros E. Kampouris

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Guest Editor

Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean, 811 00 Mytilene, Greece
Interests: biodiversity; non-indigenous species; decapoda; threatened species; fisheries
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Non-native species can have major impact on aquatic biodiversity. Even though in some cases invasive species may be beneficial for local fisheries, ecology and economy, that is not the case with the majority of invasive species. The effects that they have on the native aquatic fauna and flora can be critical to their wellbeing and in some cases to the survival of the native species.

These detrimental impacts can lead to a loss of revenue in fisheries, agriculture and the food processing industry. It is crucial to know the ecology of the invasive species and to identify their biological, behavioral and ecological advantages that allow them to dominate aquatic systems and to outcompete indigenous species. This Special Issue of Fishes aims to publish papers that deal with and advance the above-mentioned knowledge of invasive species in a variety of aquatic taxa (e.g., fishes, crustaceans, mollusks) as well as their management.

Dr. Ioannis E. Batjakas
Dr. Thodoros E. Kampouris
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fishes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

invasive aquatic species
fishes
crustaceans
ecology
management

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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13 pages, 10468 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Decomposition Rates of Suppression-Produced Fish Carcasses in a Large, Deep, High-Elevation Lake in North America

by Hayley C. Glassic, Christopher S. Guy, Lusha M. Tronstad, Michelle A. Briggs, Lindsey K. Albertson, Dominique R. Lujan and Todd M. Koel

Fishes 2023, 8(8), 385; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8080385 - 25 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1616

Abstract

The decomposition of vertebrates in lake ecosystems has been largely understudied despite being a vital part of ecosystem processes. Invasive lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) invaded Yellowstone Lake and caused a decline in the native Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri) population. To restore Yellowstone cutthroat trout, lake trout were suppressed by gillnetting annually since 1995 and has continued to present, with most carcasses deposited in the profundal zone (>70 m). As a part of suppression management, a fraction of carcasses from gillnetting were ground and placed on littoral spawning sites (causing lake trout embryo mortality via hypoxia). We conducted experiments (2018 and 2019) to determine how carcass state (i.e., whole vs. ground) and location of deposition (i.e., profundal or littoral) affected decomposition rates. Whole carcasses in the depths of Yellowstone Lake decomposed nine times slower (rate of decay, k = −0.0075 day⁻¹; 95% CI = −0.0063–−0.0089) than ground carcasses in the littoral zone (k = −0.0679 day⁻¹; 95% CI = −0.0590–−0.0768). Whole carcasses had a half-life of 91 days while ground carcasses had a half-life of 10 days. We showed that carcass state and location cause a differential decomposition for lake trout carcasses in Yellowstone Lake. Understanding carcass persistence in lakes can inform the management of suppression-produced carcasses in large lakes and provide insight into potential effects of carcass deposition from other sources, such as spawning events or fish kills, on nutrient cycling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ecology and Management of Aquatic Invasive Species)

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17 pages, 3050 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Amino Acid Variation at the Mitochondrial Binding Site of Antimycin A is Proposed to Reflect Sensitivity and Toxicity Differences among Fish Species

by Brooke A. Baudoin, Bonnie L. Brown, Robin D. Calfee and Jill A. Jenkins

Fishes 2023, 8(7), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8070381 - 22 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1800

Abstract

To better understand differential sensitivities among fish species to the piscicidal compound Antimycin-A (ANT-A), we hypothesized that variations in amino acids at the ANT-A binding site may reflect toxicity differences. Protein sequences for six motifs comprising the ANT-A binding site were obtained and compared for invasive carp species (N = 515) and seven non-target species (N = 277); a consensus was delineated from each species. The carp species, Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio), Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), and Black Carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), showed the same amino acids at the site; thus, it was termed the carp consensus motif sequence (CCM). Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) showed the most amino acid polymorphisms, with three motifs 96–100% different from CCM. Within a species, Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) variation per motif was most dissimilar (46.7% and 21.6%, respectively). Organismal mortality data from the literature indicated Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens), Walleye (Sander vitreus), and American Gizzard Shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) to be most sensitive to the piscicide, Catfish least sensitive, and all others intermediate. The protein sequence variations of the binding site appeared to be in accord with organismal sensitivity categories when they differed from the CCM; the motifs in Gizzard Shad and Walleye were the same as in CCM. The physical/chemical nature of ANT-A is important to consider in organismal response comparisons. This cellular approach of studying ANT-A binding at its target enzyme is a non-destructive way to predict piscicidal efficacy of ANT-A against fishes of interest, informs management decisions in control efforts for invasives, and can be used to forecast effects on sympatric species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ecology and Management of Aquatic Invasive Species)

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19 pages, 1957 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Herbivorous Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) Exhibit Greater Olfactory Response to Amino Acids Than Filter-Feeding Bighead (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

by Mark L. Wildhaber, Benjamin M. West, Karlie K. Ditter, Alex S. Peterson, Robin D. Calfee and Zachary D. Beaman

Fishes 2023, 8(7), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8070334 - 23 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2082

Abstract

Due to their invasiveness in North America, grass (Ctenopharyngodon idella), bighead (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) are management priorities. Comparing electrophysiological responses to olfactory cues, such as amino acids, could help identify stimuli to facilitate management efforts (i.e., repellants or baits). We assessed olfactory response magnitude to individual amino acids between fish species using electro-olfactogram recording techniques (EOG). We measured EOG responses (peak EOG magnitude) of juvenile grass (n = 21), bighead (n = 21), and silver carp (n = 22) to 10⁻⁴ molar amino acid solutions containing one of L-alanine, L-arginine, L-aspartic acid, L-asparagine, L-glutamine, or L-glutamic acid. Amino acid EOG responses differed across species; grass carp had the greatest mean EOG response. Statistical analyses showed no inter- or intra-specific differences in EOG response among amino acids. The greater EOG response of grass carp matched their selective grazing habits compared to more passive, generalist-tending, filter-feeding bighead and silver carp. All amino acids elicited significant EOG responses in all species, meaning they are candidates for future behavioral research. Such research could explore the management potential of amino acids, testing if amino acids are attractants or deterrents that could facilitate the removal of these fishes by congregating and/or directing movement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ecology and Management of Aquatic Invasive Species)

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15 pages, 2558 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Lionfish Diet Composition at Three Study Sites in the Aegean Sea: An Invasive Generalist?

by Ioannis E. Batjakas, Athanasios Evangelopoulos, Maria Giannou, Sofia Pappou, Eleftheria Papanikola, Maria Atsikvasi, Dimitris Poursanidis and Chrysoula Gubili

Fishes 2023, 8(6), 314; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8060314 - 13 Jun 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2127

Abstract

The diet of the lionfish (Pterois miles), an invasive species in the Aegean Sea, was examined by collecting stomach content data from fish collected in three study sites in the Aegean Sea (southern Crete, Kastellorizo, and Nysiros islands). Prey composition in terms of numerical abundance and frequency of occurrence was used to compare lionfish’s diet between these sites. Lionfish largely preyed upon teleosts (4% to 83% numerical abundance and 16% to 58% frequency of occurrence, depending on the site) and decapods (12% to 95% numerical abundance and 11% to 81% frequency of occurrence). The most important teleost families in lionfish’s diet were Gobiidae, Labridae, and Scorpaenidae, while decapods and especially the family Scyllaridae and the genus Plesionika were the dominant decapod prey items. The lionfish was found to be an especially successful generalist across the study sites, an opportunistic, predatory species overall, and at the same time, at a local level, it seems to be an equally successful specialist that could increase the predation mortality of already stressed prey populations and can be a serious threat to endemic, critically endangered, and/or commercially important species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ecology and Management of Aquatic Invasive Species)

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19 pages, 5419 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Population Development of the Invasive Round Goby Neogobius melanostomus in Latvian Waters of the Baltic Sea

by Eriks Kruze, Andris Avotins, Loreta Rozenfelde, Ivars Putnis, Ivo Sics, Laura Briekmane and Jens Olsson

Fishes 2023, 8(6), 305; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8060305 - 7 Jun 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2536

Abstract

The invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) was established in the coastal waters of the Baltic Sea in the early 1990s. The first observation of the species in Latvian waters was in 2004. In the intervening period, the population grew, the species became of significance for local fisheries, and it likely impacted the local ecosystem in the Baltic Sea. In this study, we characterize the spatial–temporal population development of round goby in Latvian coastal waters using data from three different scientific and fisheries-independent surveys. We also include data from commercial fisheries landings to describe the fisheries targeting the species. Our results suggest an exponential increase in population numbers of round goby in Latvian waters, peaking in 2018, followed by a sharp decline. This observation is also supported by data from commercial fisheries landings. We suggest that intensive commercial fishing had a considerable impact on the rapid decline of the species, but that the decline was potentially amplified through a wider scale decline, as observed in many areas of the Baltic Sea. The results of this study contribute to the knowledge base on the species and how fisheries can aid in limiting the development of invasive fish populations. Based on the results of the study, we also provide recommendations for better future monitoring of the species in the coastal waters of the Baltic Sea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ecology and Management of Aquatic Invasive Species)

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11 pages, 1726 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Movement and Activity Patterns of Non-Native Wels Catfish (Silurus glanis Linnaeus, 1758) at the Confluence of a Large River and Its Colder Tributary

by Daniel Nyqvist, Olle Calles, Gilberto Forneris and Claudio Comoglio

Fishes 2022, 7(6), 325; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes7060325 - 10 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2135

Abstract

The establishment and proliferation of non-native fish species can have a range of effects within the local ecosystem, including alteration of food webs, nutrient cycling, pathogen dynamics and predation, sometimes also resulting in changed behavior and distribution of native fish species. Knowledge about movements and activity patterns is important to understand the dynamics of non-native animals in their new environment. The Wels catfish (Silurus glanis Linnaeus, 1758) is considered an invasive species in many places in Western Europe, and regional control programs are in place. Here, using radiotelemetry, we study the movements and activity patterns of invasive Wels catfish at an invasion front within the Po River (Italy); namely, at the confluence between the main river, where the species is abundant, and a colder tributary, the Dora Baltea River, where it is absent. In addition, we also investigate potential spatiotemporal overlap between Wels catfish and native and endangered marble trout (Salmo marmoratus Cuvier, 1829) in the area. A total of nine Wels catfish and eight marble trout were tagged. The Wels catfish showed a very high degree of residency within the study area in the Po River, close to the mouth the colder tributary. Despite this, only one catfish entered the lower reaches of the tributary and did so only occasionally during August. No catfish moved further upstream in the tributary. It is likely that lower temperatures in combination with more challenging hydrodynamic conditions made the tributary unattractive to the catfish. The catfish were active during all times of the day but substantially more so during evenings and at nights. Some, but not all, tagged catfish moved to areas in the main stem upstream of the confluence with the tributary. A large proportion of the tagged marble trout made occasional or longer visits to the Po River, with several individuals becoming resident, but without apparent mortality, in the tagged catfish home range. The high residency of the Wels catfish suggests that removal efforts may do well to initially focus on areas close to the habitats of species under conservation concern. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ecology and Management of Aquatic Invasive Species)

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16 pages, 2128 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Invasive Species Appearance and Climate Change Correspond with Dramatic Regime Shift in Thermal Guild Composition of Lake Huron Beach Fish Assemblages

by Jessica Bowser, Tracy Galarowicz, Brent Murry and Jim Johnson

Fishes 2022, 7(5), 263; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes7050263 - 28 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1988

Abstract

Lake Huron has undergone dramatic and well-documented lake-wide food web changes as a result of non-native species introductions. Coastal beaches, which serve as nursery habitats for native and introduced species, are, however, relatively poorly studied. Our objective was to assess fish assemblages of beach habitats in western Lake Huron and compare species composition pre- (1993) and post-invasion (2012) of dreissenid mussels and round goby (Neogobius melanostomus). Nearshore beach fish assemblages were sampled by nighttime beach seining during spring and summer in 1993 and 2012 in the western basin of Lake Huron along the Michigan shoreline. Catch rates were considerably higher, but there were fewer species present in 2012 than in 1993. The composition of species changed dramatically from a cold- and cool-water species assemblage in 1993 (dominated by alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius), and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), as well as Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax)) to a cool- and warm-water species assemblage in 2012 (dominated by cyprinids, round goby (Nogobius melanstomus), and yellow perch (Perca flavescens)). The observed rise in catch rate and shift in species composition appears related to the introduction of invasive species as well as an on-going warming pattern in nearshore waters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ecology and Management of Aquatic Invasive Species)

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9 pages, 660 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Widespread Hybridization between Invasive Bleak (Alburnus alburnus) and Iberian Chub (Squalius spp.): A Neglected Conservation Threat

by Manuel Curto, Miguel Morgado-Santos, Carlos M. Alexandre, Maria Judite Alves, Hugo F. Gante, Christos Gkenas, João P. Medeiros, Paulo J. Pinheiro, Pedro R. Almeida, Maria Filomena Magalhães and Filipe Ribeiro

Fishes 2022, 7(5), 247; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes7050247 - 21 Sep 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3409

Abstract

Hybridization between native and nonnative fish species is a major conservation issue, especially in ecosystems with high levels of endemism, such as Iberian streams. To date, hybridization with the invasive bleak Alburnus alburnus has been reported for the Iberian chub Squalius alburnoides and S. pyrenaicus and in scattered locations only. However, the bleak is spreading in the region, potentially increasing the risks of hybridization with other Squalius species. To gather a more comprehensive picture on the current geography of hybridization, we compiled records on hybrids between bleak and chub in Portugal and conducted genetical assessments of hybrids between bleak and S. carolitertii. We found that hybridization with bleak is widespread throughout Portuguese river basins and involves at least S. alburnoides, S. pyrenaicus and S. carolitertii. Hybridization with bleak may not only cause waste of reproductive effort and damage the genetic integrity of these endemic species but also promote shifts in the reproductive dynamics of the S. alburnoides hybrid complex, which includes individuals with various ploidy levels and combinations of parental genomes, reproducing sexually and asexually. We recommend that future studies characterize the fitness of bleak hybrids and their ecological and genetic interactions with native fish, in order to design effective conservation measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ecology and Management of Aquatic Invasive Species)

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22 pages, 3576 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Feeding Habits and Diet Overlap between Brown Trout Lineages from the Danube Basin of Croatia

by Marina Piria, Ivan Špelić, Luana Velagić, Ivana Lisica, Tamara Kanjuh, Ana Marić, Ivana Maguire, Tena Radočaj and Predrag Simonović

Fishes 2022, 7(4), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes7040179 - 21 Jul 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2530

Abstract

Brown trout of non-native lineages have been stocked into Croatian streams and rivers primarily to meet angler demand. The diet of brown trout in the Black Sea Basin of Croatia is poorly understood, and there are no studies examining feeding competition between the Atlantic (AT) and Danube (DA) lineages of brown trout and their hybrids (HY). The aim of this study was to examine the natural diet of brown trout of both lineages and their hybrids and to compare feeding overlap. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to investigate the relationships between feeding habits of fish from different streams and of different genetic origin. The differences in variation of the consumed prey items were analysed by canonical variate analysis, and diet overlap was assessed by the Schoener index. The results indicate that stocked brown trout (AT) adapt rapidly to new habitat and food, as revealed by the consumption of a wide range of available food items and competition for food and space by taking on the feeding behaviour of wild native conspecifics. Diet overlap was also detected between brown trout of the DA and AT lineages. This study highlights the need to implement control measures to preserve and protect the native diversity of this species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ecology and Management of Aquatic Invasive Species)

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10 pages, 683 KiB

Open AccessTechnical Note

A Geospatial Approach to Improving Fish Species Detection in Maumee Bay, Lake Erie

by Jessica Bowser, Andrew S. Briggs, Patricia Thompson, Matthew McLean and Anjanette Bowen

Fishes 2023, 8(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8010003 - 21 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1862

Abstract

Maumee Bay of western Lake Erie is at high risk for invasion by aquatic invasive species due to large urban and suburban populations, commercial shipping traffic, recreational boating, and aquaculture ponds. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Early Detection and Monitoring (EDM) program has been monitoring for new invasive species since 2013 and is continually looking to adapt sampling methods to improve efficiency to increase the chance of detecting new aquatic invasive species at low abundances. From 2013–2016, the program used a random sampling design in Maumee Bay with three gear types: boat electrofishing, paired fyke nets, and bottom trawling. Capture data from the initial three years was used to spatially explore fish species richness with the hot spot analysis (Getis-Ord Gi*) in ArcGIS. In 2017, targeted sites in areas with high species richness (hot spots) were added to the randomly sampled sites to determine if the addition of targeted sampling would increase fish species detection rates and detection of rare species. Results suggest that this hybrid sampling design improved sampling efficiency as species not detected or were rare in previous survey years were captured and species were detected at a faster rate (i.e., in less sampling effort), particularly for shallow-water gear types. Through exploring past data and experimenting with targeted sampling, the EDM program will continue to refine and adapt sampling efforts to improve efficiency and provide valuable knowledge for the early detection of aquatic invasive species. The use of geospatial techniques such as hot spot analysis is one approach fisheries researchers and managers can use to incorporate targeted sampling in a non-subjective way to improve species detection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ecology and Management of Aquatic Invasive Species)

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