Are introduced gibel carp Carassius gibelio in Turkey more invasive in artificial than in natural waters?

Abstract

The underlying mechanisms responsible for ecological plasticity and consequent invasive character of non‐native freshwater fish species, variations in growth and life history traits in gibel carp Carassius gibelio (Bloch) were compared in natural and artificial water bodies of Turkey. Females significantly outnumbered males in all natural and most artificial waters. Discriminate function analysis differentiated gibel populations into three separate groups (natural lakes, artificial water bodies and running waters), with significant differences among separated groups in growth index, standard length and age at maturity, relative fecundity and gonado‐somatic index, but not in egg diameter and both generalised and relative condition. Growth features (e.g. growth index and relative condition) and reproductive features (e.g. relative and absolute fecundity) positively correlated with water body area. No correlations were found for any growth or life history trait with depth, latitude and altitude. With the exception of smaller size at maturity, all traits were higher in populations from artificial water bodies than those inhabiting running waters, suggesting gibel carp is required to exert more reproductive effort to invade natural ecosystems than artificial waters.

Assessing age, growth, and reproduction of Alburnus mossulensis and Acanthobrama marmid (Cyprinidae) populations in Karakaya Dam Lake (Turkey)

“…Smaller size at maturity was higher in populations from artificial waterbodies than those inhabiting running waters. Length and age at maturity, fecundity, and GSI are not generally factors in relative condition and oocyte size (Tarkan et al, 2012).…”

“…The difference between male and female GSI suggests that the energy invested in gamete production by males is probably less than that invested by females (Hacker, 1979). GSI and smaller size at maturity would indicate populations that show more opportunistic life history traits than others (Tarkan et al, 2012). Lengths at maturity were 12.8 cm for A. mossulensis and 11.4 cm for A. marmid.…”

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“…The rapid expansion and high abundance of Prussian carp in Turkey and also in some parts of Europe makes it problematic (Özcan, 2007;Gaygusuz et al, 2007;Lusková et al, 2010;Liasko et al, 2011;Tarkan et al, 2012). Recent studies have focused on the possible negative impact of this species to distribution (Özcan, 2007), abundance (Gaygusuz et al, 2007;Perdikaris et al, 2012), reproduction (Aydın et al, 2011) and some growth parameters (Leonardos et al, 2008;Tarkan et al, 2012).…”

The ecology of freshwater bivalves in the Lake Sapanca basin, Turkey

“…The initial introduction and spread of A. woodiana is thought to have occurred via the export of fish species such as Carassius auratus, C. gibelio, Ctenopharyngodon idella, and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix from eastern Asia for ornamental or biological control purposes (Watters, 1997). Carassius species in particular have spread extensively in Turkish waters (Tarkan et al, 2012) and C. gibelio is known to occur in Lake Sapanca (A.S. Tarkan, unpublished data), and is also distributed throughout the country, raising the possibility that A. woodiana may be more widespread in the region than this single case might suggest. A recent study on the invasion success of A. woodiana demonstrated that it is a successful invasive species tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions (Douda et al, 2012).…”