Suppression of invasive topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva by native pike Esox lucius in ponds

TY - JOUR

T1 - Suppression of invasive topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva by native pike Esox lucius in ponds

AU - Lemmens, P.

AU - Mergeay, J.

AU - Vanhove, T.

AU - De Meester, L.

AU - Declerck, S.A.J.

N1 - Reporting year: 2014 Metis note: 5613; AqE

PY - 2015

Y1 - 2015

N2 - 1. Asian topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva has been recognized as a highly invasive cyprinid fish species in Europe that can present risk to native fish communities. 2. The present study aimed to investigate whether a native piscivorous fish, pike Esox lucius, is able to reduce the establishment success and invasiveness of topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva in shallow ponds. We performed a large scale, replicated whole-pond experiment in which ponds were spontaneously colonized by topmouth gudgeon and exposed to experimental native fish communities with and without pike. 3. Our results provide evidence for strong negative effects of pike stocking on the abundance and biomass of topmouth gudgeon, while we found no effects on native fish species. The present study suggests that the presence of native pike can considerably enhance the biotic resistance of fish communities against invasion by topmouth gudgeon. 4. We argue that the resistance of fish communities against invasion by exotic species may in some cases be enhanced by management strategies that reinforce the presence and abundance of naturally occurring and indigenous pike.

AB - 1. Asian topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva has been recognized as a highly invasive cyprinid fish species in Europe that can present risk to native fish communities. 2. The present study aimed to investigate whether a native piscivorous fish, pike Esox lucius, is able to reduce the establishment success and invasiveness of topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva in shallow ponds. We performed a large scale, replicated whole-pond experiment in which ponds were spontaneously colonized by topmouth gudgeon and exposed to experimental native fish communities with and without pike. 3. Our results provide evidence for strong negative effects of pike stocking on the abundance and biomass of topmouth gudgeon, while we found no effects on native fish species. The present study suggests that the presence of native pike can considerably enhance the biotic resistance of fish communities against invasion by topmouth gudgeon. 4. We argue that the resistance of fish communities against invasion by exotic species may in some cases be enhanced by management strategies that reinforce the presence and abundance of naturally occurring and indigenous pike.

KW - international

U2 - 10.1002/aqc.2479

DO - 10.1002/aqc.2479

M3 - Article

SN - 1052-7613

VL - 25

SP - 41

EP - 48

JO - Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems

JF - Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems

IS - 1

ER -