Feeding ecology of the invasive round goby, Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814), based on laboratory size preference and field diet in different habitats in the western basin of Lake Erie

Abstract

Taking into account the continuous increase in freshwater introductions, and to support the recent European legislation on invasive alien species, the identification of priority pathways and gateways of introductions is of utmost importance to develop adequate control strategies. The aim of this paper was to analyse the main pathways and gateways of introductions of freshwater alien species in Europe. Based on a thorough review of the scientific and grey literature, information on pathways, country and year of initial introduction of all freshwater alien species in Europe, was retrieved. The spatial and temporal patterns and trends of biological invasions in freshwater ecosystems in Europe, in relation to different pathways, were assessed. Our results pinpoint the major importance of aquaculture, pet/aquarium trade and stocking activities as pathways of introduction of freshwater alien species in Europe. For species native to some European countries, shipping and inland canals were the most important pathways, highly responsible for the entry of many harmful species. Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy were the main entry gateways of freshwater alien species in Europe. We found a geographical pattern related to some pathways of introduction in Europe: introductions through inland canals were concentrated in Central/North-eastern Europe, while introductions through pet/terrarium/aquarium trade were mainly observed in Central/Western Europe. While Chordata species entered Europe mainly through the three major above mentioned pathways, many harmful Arthropoda and Mollusca entered through shipping and inland canals. The information gathered in this study clearly indicates the entry routes that should be prioritised by Member States, for which stronger control and management actions should be implemented and prevention efforts concentrated under the scope of the related new EU Regulation.

Round goby versus marbled crayfish: alien invasive predators and competitors

“…Gobies were able to swallow all small and medium crayfish, but also to kill and partially consume the larger prey as larger crayfish were rather too big for smaller goby individuals. Non-selectivity of round goby was confirmed with mussels as prey (Perello et al, 2015). Ray and Corkum (1997) observed that round gobies spit out the entire mussel shell as well as pieces, similar to our observations of crayfish cuticula in aquaria.…”

“…Round goby usually preys upon small bottom-dwelling vertebrates and invertebrates (Mikl et al, 2017), but is adaptable to feeding on a wide array of available prey types, including scavenging of carcasses, and particle sizes (Polačik et al, 2009(Polačik et al, , 2015Perello et al, 2015). Crustaceans and mollusks represent the most important food items (Brandner et al, 2013).…”

Ecological responses to elevated water temperatures across invasive populations of the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in the Great Lakes basin

“…Another way in which temperature governs the performance of a species is through its effects on feeding behaviour (e.g., Iacarella et al 2015;Perello et al 2015). Maximum feeding rates of round goby in this study were highest at temperatures ≤24°C.…”

Comparison of Behavior and Space Use of the European Bullhead Cottus gobio and the Round Goby Neogobius melanostomus in a Simulated Natural Habitat

“…This study presents evidence of a similar behavior pattern in a native (European bullhead) and an invasive (round goby) benthic fish species in single-species laboratory experiments. The Ponto-Caspian invader, the round goby, continues to spread in European and North American freshwater and coastal ecosystems and invades vulnerable tributaries of main waterways where it threatens native fish species, competing with them for habitat and prey [ 3 , 36 , 42 ]. Examples of vulnerable native fish species negatively affected by the round goby are the log-perch Percina caprodes (Rafinesque 1818) [ 43 , 44 ] and the mottled sculpin Cottus bairdii (Girard 1850) [ 4 , 36 ].…”