Life‐history traits of introduced Iberian pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus relative to native populations. Can differences explain colonization success?

Abstract

To assess the colonization success of pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus on the Iberian Peninsula, life-history attributes of pumpkinseed populations from Spanish water bodies were compared to populations in the northern and southern parts of its native range, as well as to those of English water bodies where introduced populations have shown minimal natural range expansion. Discriminate function analysis using five population characteristics [mean age at maturity, mean total length (L T ) at maturity, gonado-somatic index (I G ), mean L T at age 2 years as an indication of juvenile growth rate and relative body condition] strongly differentiated populations from the four regional study areas. Spanish populations were early maturing, showed moderate juvenile growth rate and L T at maturity and high I G relative to the other population groups. Spanish populations matured significantly earlier than Canadian and English populations, but not southern U.S.A. populations. Spanish populations, however, had a significantly higher I G than southern U.S.A. populations, suggesting greater reproductive output. Considering these differences in the context of the Winemiller and Rose triangular life-history strategy model, the pumpkinseed exhibits 'equilibrium' life-history traits that have made other non-native fishes successful invaders in areas where habitat alteration has resulted in more predictable discharge regimes and water levels. Populations in Iberia, however, appear to have achieved their success by adopting a more 'opportunistic' life-history strategy than their native counterparts. High levels of life-history plasticity appear to contribute to the success of this species on the Iberian Peninsula.

Habitats essentiels des larves et des juvéniles de la nouvelle population de bar rayé du Saint-Laurent /

“…Moreover, the diversity of migratory movements of St. Lawrence striped bass need to be monitored periodically, especially considering the dynamics of a colonizing population (Lucek et al 2012). It is common for colonizing individuals to exhibit more diverse life-history strategies than the source population during establishment (Fox et al 2007). However, as the population's number increase, environmental constraints (e.g., prédation, competition, selective mortality, fishing) can drive directional evolution (Parsons & Robinson 2006) to select a more restricted migratory behavior, resulting in a more limited distribution area.…”

Reproductive parameters of topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva) from a heated Lake Licheńskie (Poland)

“…Successful invaders exhibit varying combinations of characteristics and phenotypic plasticity, expressed in their ability to adapt to local conditions [5]. Indeed, measures of life-history traits, such as reproductive parameters and/or age and length at maturity have been used to define, compare and predict the invasiveness of non-native populations at different stages, and thus elucidate their relative ability to successfully establish and spread [6][7][8].…”

“…This species has established self-reproducing populations in western Asia, northern Africa and almost the entire Europe [15]. This species appears to be very flexible in varying its reproductive parameters, such as the absolute number of oocytes, oocyte diameter, real absolute fecundity, etc., when entering a novel environment [3,5]. The species' flexibility in a normal thermal regime (for example, 12.7 -22.4°C in Lake Fuxian, 3.3 -29.2°C in Lakes Chao and Dongting -all China; [16], 8.2 -23.7°C in Jakubov, and 11.3 -25.8°C in Chľaba, both Slovakia) [6] has been well described, however, there has been no information published about how its invasive populations would cope with extreme conditions of a habitat with permanently heated water.…”

Phenotypic plasticity in fish life-history traits in two neotropical reservoirs: Petit-Saut Reservoir in French Guiana and Brokopondo Reservoir in Suriname

“…Various studies show that most species develop different tactics in different environments. Latitude and/or habitat, in association with some environmental parameters, have been shown to have a significant impact on a number of traits (Bénech & Niaré, 1994;Lobon-Cervia et al, 1997;Baker & Foster, 2002;Mazzoni & Iglesias-Rios, 2002;Gillespie & Fox, 2003;Heins et al, 2004;Grover, 2005;Chapman et al, 2006;Danylchuk & Tonn, 2006;Blanck & Lamouroux, 2007;Duponchelle et al, 2007;Fox et al, 2007;Gomes Jr. & Monteiro, 2007). However, these studies consider resident populations inhabiting different habitats for an unknown period of time.…”