Round goby versus marbled crayfish: alien invasive predators and competitors
Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review
Contributors
Abstract
Aquatic biodiversity is threatened by spread of invasive alien species. Round goby Neogobius melanostomus is an invasive fish in large European rivers as well as in coastal waters near their mouths and marbled crayfish Procambarus virginalis is a highly invasive crustacean. Both are small, bottom-dwelling species occupying similar habitat and shelters and utilizing similar food sources. We hypothesized that goby presents a threat to both native and non-native astacofauna in invaded ecosystems. We tested this through laboratory experiments designed to determine aggressiveness and competitiveness of goby against marbled crayfish as a model for other North American cambarid crayfish, assessing goby prey size selection and competition with marbled crayfish for space and shelter. Gobies showed high aggressiveness and dominance over the crayfish. Goby predation on juvenile crayfish was limited by mouth gape size. In goby/crayfish pairs of similar weight, gobies were more aggressive, although each affected the behavior of the other.
Details
Original language | English |
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Article number | 18 |
Journal | Knowledge & Management of Aquatic Ecosystems |
Volume | 2020-January |
Issue number | 422 |
Publication status | Published - 10 May 2021 |
Peer-reviewed | Yes |
External IDs
Scopus | 85105786488 |
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ORCID | /0000-0002-4891-9265/work/142247195 |
Keywords
Sustainable Development Goals
Keywords
- Biological invasion, freshwater, predation, shelter competition, species interaction