Occurrence of alien spirlin (Alburnoidessp.) in the Neretva river basin

Abstract

Northern Mediterranean region is characterised by an exceptional richness of the freshwater ichthyofauna. Many fish species of this region are endemic to a single or a few river basins. This is also the case of the Neretva river basin (Adriatic Sea slope), where 17 out of 34 native species are endemic solely to this river basin. However, these unique Mediterranean freshwater ecosystems are fragile and are susceptible to human-induced changes, including introduction of alien fish species. We report here a finding of the 32 nd alien fish species in the Neretva river basin, spirlin Alburnoides sp., which was found at two localities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The spirlin species was identified by molecular means as so far unnamed species with the native range in the Sava river basin (Danube river basin, Black Sea slope). Based on the comparison of cytochrome b sequences, the introduced population originated most probably from nearby rivers of the Danube basin in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Vrbas and Bosna river basins). Such a high number of alien fish species reported in a single river basin is alarming and pointing to a necessity of raising public awareness, especially among local fishermen.

Cophylogenetic relationships betweenDactylogyrus(Monogenea) ectoparasites and endemic cyprinoids of the north‐eastern European peri‐Mediterranean region

“…It is a consequence of the glacial periods, when sea level dropped considerably and rivers of the northern Adriatic were connected together, which led to the exchange of many primary native fish species between the two peninsulas (Stefani, Galli, Crosa, Zaccara, & Calamari, 2004;Waelbroeck et al, 2002). However, many of the northern and north-eastern Mediterranean drainages are heavily affected by introductions of non-native freshwater species, including numerous cyprinoids (Bianco, 1995;Piria et al, 2018;Vukić, Eliášová, Marić, & Šanda, 2019), even the endemic ones being translocated often outside the native range (Bianco, 1995;Koutsikos et al, 2019). This could lead to the simultaneous introduction of their non-native parasite species, which can subsequently infect the native fishes (such as parasite Dactylogyrus, documented in Benovics et al, 2017).…”

Population genetic structure of endemic fish species facilitating their survival in changing environments -- a case study on the genus Telestes in Croatia

“…Invasive species are already present in habitats of several endemic Telestes species (Ćaleta et al, 2019). In some of the areas, the number of recorded non-native species even over dominates the native ones (Vukić et al, 2019). Effective removal of already present non-native species, as well as design and implementation of strategy for continuous monitoring, early discovery and quick response in order to prevent non-native species to form stabile populations in watersheds inhabited by nativeTelestes species, should be a top priority in Croatian practical nature conservation.…”

New data on the western Balkan leuciscids Alburnoides and Alburnus (Teleostei, Leuciscidae) from the Vjosa River, Albania

“…Recent studies provide evidence that species of Alburnoides and Alburnus Rafinesque were introduced into other river systems (e.g., Simić et al 2012, Stierandová et al 2016, Pofuk et al 2017, Vukić et al 2019). As intentional and unintentional introductions of non-native fish species are common in Adriatic lake and river systems (e.g., Shumka et al 2008, Simić et al 2012, Piria et al 2017, Pofuk et al 2017, Vukić et al 2019), historic museum collections provide important information of natural fish distributions (e.g., Palandačić et al 2017). If several phylogenetic lineages occur in one and the same river drainage, historic museum collections may be of a crucial importance to determine native populations and apply the nomenclaturally correct name.…”