Biological and Trophic Consequences of Genetic Introgression Between Endemic and Invasive Barbus Fishes

Santis, Vanessa De; Quadroni, Silvia; Britton, Ronald W.; Carosi, Antonella; Roberts, Catherine Gutmann; Lorenzoni, Massimo; Crosa, Giuseppe; Zaccara, Serena

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-179091/v1

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 58 publications

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“…Ratios of C:N indicated no requirement for lipid normalisation (generally 3.5-3.9) (Winter & Britton, 2021). To enable comparison of the SI data between the sites, the fish SI data were corrected (De Santis et al, 2021), where δ 15 N data were converted to trophic position (TP) (Olsson et al, 2009):…”

Section: Field Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel trophic subsidies from recreational angling transform the trophic ecology of freshwater fishes

Britton

Almela

2022

Journal of Applied Ecology

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1. Angling is a globally popular leisure activity. There are over 31 million anglers in Europe, many of which target species of the Cyprinidae family in lowland freshwater ecosystems using methods generally involving bait (e.g. groundbaits, seeds and pellets), with large bait inputs possible in periods of high angling activity. While these bait inputs act as novel trophic subsidies ('angling subsidy'), substantial knowledge gaps remain on their influence on freshwater food webs, including on fish trophic niche size and position.2. The effects of angling subsidies on the trophic ecology of cyprinid fish populations and their macroinvertebrate prey resources were investigated in field studies comparing waters of high angling activity ('subsidised fisheries') versus low angling activity ('non-subsidised fisheries'), and complemented by a pond experiment using two cyprinid species in subsidy absence/presence. Methods were based on stable isotope analysis, with angling subsidies being δ 13 C enriched and, generally, δ 15 N depleted compared to macroinvertebrate prey resources.3. In the subsidised fisheries, while there were minimal influences of the baits on macroinvertebrate stable isotope values, the effects of the subsidies on all fish species were to substantially δ 13 C enrich and δ 15 N deplete their isotopic niches.However, patterns of interspecific niche divergence remained similar between the species in subsidy presence.4. In the pond experiment, there was strong isotopic association between the two fish species and macroinvertebrate putative prey in subsidy absence. In treatments that then exposed both species to angling subsidies, their stable isotope values shifted to enriched δ 13 C. Synthesis and application.Where angling activity is high, angling baits can provide strong trophic subsidies to freshwater fish, but with minimal effects on other trophic levels. Their regular input into freshwaters can provide some substantial benefits for fish (e.g. increased growth rates) and fisheries (e.g. elevated carrying capacity, higher catch rates), but can also increase nutrient enrichment and potentially raise concerns on angling ethics. Thus, in allowing the use of

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Section: Field Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel trophic subsidies from recreational angling transform the trophic ecology of freshwater fishes

Britton

Almela

2022

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Spoiled for Choice during Cold Season? Habitat Use and Potential Impacts of the Invasive Silurus glanis L. in a Deep, Large, and Oligotrophic Lake (Lake Maggiore, North Italy)

Santis

Volta

2021

Water

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The ecological features of invasive alien species are crucial for their effective management. However, they are often lacking in newly invaded ecosystems. This is the case of the European catfish Silurus glanis L. in Lake Maggiore, where the species is present since 1990, but no scientific information is available on its ecology. To start filling this knowledge gap, 236 catfish (67 cm to 150 cm of total length) were collected, measured, and dissected for stomach content analyses from three localities and in two habitats (littoral vs. pelagic) in late autumn/early winter. The NPUE and BPUE (individuals (N) and biomass (B, in grams) per unit effort (m2), respectively) of catfish were generally higher in littoral (NPUE > 0.01; BPUE > 96) than in pelagic habitats (NPUE < 0.009; BPUE < 114), but the catfish had, on average, larger sizes in pelagic habitats. Overall, 581 individual prey items were recorded, belonging to 12 taxa. Pelagic catfish specialized their diet exclusively on three prey fish (coregonids, shad, and roach), whilst the diet of littoral catfish was more variable and dominated by crayfish, perch, and roach. These results highlighted for the first time the interaction of larger catfish with the lake’s pelagic food web, and thus possible consequences are discussed, including the potential contrasting role S. glanis may have for the lake’s fishery.

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Biological and Trophic Consequences of Genetic Introgression Between Endemic and Invasive Barbus Fishes

Cited by 2 publications

References 58 publications

Novel trophic subsidies from recreational angling transform the trophic ecology of freshwater fishes

Novel trophic subsidies from recreational angling transform the trophic ecology of freshwater fishes

Spoiled for Choice during Cold Season? Habitat Use and Potential Impacts of the Invasive Silurus glanis L. in a Deep, Large, and Oligotrophic Lake (Lake Maggiore, North Italy)

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