2026-04-19T04:04:19Z https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/oai.php

10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.101962 2023-04-18 aquaticinvasions

Continued persistence of non-native ascidians in Southern California harbors and marinas Nichols,Claire Lambert,Gretchen Nydam,Marie Aplidium accarense Ascidia cf. virginea Ascidiella aspersa invasive species introductions nonindigenous Polyandrocarpa zorritensis rapid assessment survey Aquatic Invasions 18(1): 1-22 Non-native ascidians have long dominated the artificial structures in southern California’s (United States) marinas and harbors. To determine the change in ascidian abundance and community composition over the last several decades, in 2019–2020 we replicated surveys from 1994–2000. We then created nMDS plots using the abundance data collected in the 1994–2000 and 2019–2020 surveys to compare the two groups. Range and average abundance per species were analyzed to determine trends and changes in ascidian community composition. Of the species used for comparison, four are native, three are cryptogenic, and 12 are non-native. As predicted by Lambert and Lambert, non-native species have persisted in southern California; however, ranges and abundances have changed. The only native species found consistently in both sets of surveys, Ascidia ceratodes, remained rare in 2019–2020, with an unchanged average abundance. Several non-native species increased in abundance or remained common. The non-native colonial species Polyandrocarpa zorritensis had the greatest influence on the dissimilarity between the surveys, increasing from rare in 1994–2000 to more common in 2019–2020, and spreading north to Santa Barbara. Several non-native species confined to San Diego in the 1994–2000 surveys have also spread north, such as Botrylloides giganteus and Styela canopus which were found in Santa Barbara in 2019–2020. A formerly unidentified Aplidium sp. has now been identified as the non-native Aplidium accarense. There have also been additional introductions since 2000, including Ascidia cf. virginea and the first report of Ascidiella aspersa in the NE Pacific. The overwhelming trends of the surveys indicate that we will continue to see an increase and persistence of newly introduced non-natives in Southern California marinas, with possible continued northward expansion. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.101962 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.101962 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/101962/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/101962/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.103512 2023-04-18 aquaticinvasions

The invasive Asian benthic foraminifera Trochammina hadai Uchio, 1962: identification of a new local in Normandy (France) and a discussion on its putative introduction pathways Bouchet,Vincent Pavard,Jean-Charles Holzman,Maria McGann,Mary Armynot du Châtelet,Eric Courleux,Apolyne Pezy,Jean-Philippe Dauvin,Jean-Claude Seuront,Laurent English Channel harbor non-indigenous species ballast waters benthic unicellular eukaryote competitor Aquatic Invasions 18(1): 23-38 The invasive benthic foraminifera Trochammina hadai has been found for the first time in Europe along the coast of Normandy. Its native range of distribution is in Asia (Japan and Korea), and it has also been introduced along the coasts of western North America, Brazil and Australia. Morphological and molecular assessments confirm that specimens found in Le Havre and Caen-Ouistreham harbors belong to the Asiatic type. Like in Asia, T. hadai was found in transitional waters with muddy sediments. It exhibited high relative abundances (up to about 40%) confirming that T. hadai is a highly competitive species. In the present study, it was nearly absent from natural transitional waters and very abundant in heavily modified habitats like harbors, suggesting that ballast waters may likely be the vector of introduction. It was not recorded farther north along the coast of the Hauts-de-France. It is further hypothesized that the finding of a few specimens outside the harbor may facilitate the expansion of T. hadai in the English Channel by means of propagules dispersion. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.103512 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.103512 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/103512/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/103512/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.102938 2023-04-18 aquaticinvasions

Community structure of shallow tropical reefs undergoing invasion by Tubastraea spp. in a Brazilian Marine Protected Area Vançato,Yollanda Carolina da Silva Ferreira Creed,Joel Christopher Fleury,Beatriz Grosso baseline benthos coral rocky shore Tamoios Ecological Station Aquatic Invasions 18(1): 39-57 Invasive sun corals (Tubastraea spp.) are spreading along the Brazilian coast where they compete for space with native species, produce chemical compounds with antifouling and anti-predation properties and modify community structure and function. The tropical rocky shores of the Ilha Grande Bay were the first to be invaded in the southwest Atlantic and the Tamoios Marine Protected Area (MPA) within the bay was directly in the path of the spread of Tubastraea. MPAs aim to conserve biodiversity, preventing habitat loss and fragmentation and maintain healthy ecosystems. As healthy communities might better resist invasion the aim of this study was to investigate to what extent the benthic communities of the MPA are resisting the invasion. Baseline data on the abundance of the invasive corals Tubastraea spp. and community structure (cover) were quantified at eight sites over six years. The benthic communities were dominated by multispecies algal turfs, the mat-forming zooantharian Palythoa caribaeorum and the red alga Asparagopsis taxiformis and fell into five community groups two of which contained Tubastraea spp. The number of invaded sites increased over time as did the abundance of Tubastraea spp. in the communities. Tubastraea spp. sequentially invaded the studied communities within the MPA independently of differing community compositions – i.e. they did not offer better biotic resistance than unprotected areas. This was facilitated by the patchy nature of the communities which allowed Tubastraea spp. to get a foothold by initially avoiding species such as P. caribaeorum which offer greater biological resistance. At one site a significant reduction in Tubastraea spp. was detected after mechanical control. We conclude that the MPA’s status as a conservation unit was important to attract research and thus for establishing a baseline, quantifying change due to the invasion and focusing limited management resources, but not in providing significant biotic resistance to the invasion. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.102938 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.102938 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/102938/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/102938/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.103438 2023-04-18 aquaticinvasions

A biological and ecological study of the invasive pufferfish Torquigener hypselogeneion (Bleeker 1852) [conspecific Torquigener flavimaculosus Hardy & Randall, 1983] in the Eastern Mediterranean Ulman,Aylin Akbora,Hasan Deniz Çanak,Özgür Chu,Elaine Çiçek,Burak Ali Ersönmez,Hasan Mavruk,Sinan Özyurt,Caner Enver Yildiz,Taner Liu,Amy Demirel,Nazli Pauly,Daniel Invasive Alien Species (IAS) diet growth reproduction spawning season Tetraodontidae Aquatic Invasions 18(1): 59-81 The highly toxic orange-spotted toadfish Torquigener hypselogeneion (Bleeker 1852) [conspecific Torquigener flavimaculosus Hardy & Randall, 1983] is now a very common invasive fish in the Eastern Mediterranean. Its small size, well under 20 cm, may have concealed the danger it represents, and little is known about its biology or ecology. Here, the spawning seasons, gonado- and hepato-somatic index and condition factors of T. hypselogeneion from 3 locations of the Eastern Mediterranean are presented, based on a total of 1360 individuals sampled, i.e., 216 from Finike, 817 from Fethiye (both Turkey), and 327 from Cyprus. Our results show that T. hypselogeneion is a carnivorous species that forages on sandy bottoms, with a preference for small invertebrates, especially the small invasive gastropod Cerithium scabridum, crustaceans (hermit crabs, other crabs and barnacles), and sea urchins; however, at least in some localities, they appear to forgo eating during their peak reproductive period. The parameters of the von Bertalanffy Growth Function for T. hypselogeneion in the Eastern Mediterranean were: asymptotic length = 17.4 cm (total length; TL) and K = 0.96 year-1, implying a longevity of about 4 years, while the mean length at first maturity was about 10 cm (TL) for both sexes. An average-sized adult female (13 cm TL, 45.7 g live weight) was found to contain 1,250 eggs per gram body weight. Based on its high invasiveness and negative impacts to ecology of the Eastern Mediterranean and the human health, we suggest that T. hypselogeneion should be listed as a priority invasive species and that its population closely monitored within the Mediterranean Sea. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.103438 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.103438 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/103438/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/103438/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.103389 2023-04-18 aquaticinvasions

Field surveys reveal physicochemical conditions promoting occurrence and high abundance of an invasive freshwater snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) Larson,Michele Greenwood,Daniel Flanigan,Kara Krist,Amy establishment impact secondary spread non-native specific conductivity stream width Aquatic Invasions 18(1): 83-102 Environmental conditions promoting the occurrence and high abundance of non-native taxa are linked to critical stages of species invasions: establishment, whether a site can sustain a population of the non-native taxon, and impact, the extent to which the consequences of establishment negatively affect the invaded ecosystem. Using surveys across environmental gradients, we examined the physicochemical conditions associated with the occurrence and abundance of the invasive New Zealand mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) and co-occurring native mollusks. Abundance of Potamopyrgus very strongly increased with stream width and conductivity (specifically with chloride, sulfate, potassium, and sodium ions). Also, Potamopyrgus were most likely to occur at sites with relatively low pH and water velocity and relatively high calcium ion concentration and abundance also slightly increased in these conditions. The physicochemical conditions indicate the characteristics of sites that are suitable for establishment and secondary spread of Potamopyrgus. Native mollusks differed from Potamopyrgus in the physicochemical conditions associated with abundance suggesting that variation among habitats could permit native mollusks to persist at larger geographic scales even if they often co-occur with Potamopyrgus. Abundance of native Physa moderately decreased with abundance of Potamopyrgus. Because abundance of Physa and Potamopyrgus responded oppositely to stream width and conductivity, the negative relationship between the abundance of these two taxa may be caused by contrasting responses to physicochemical conditions, acting alone or in concert with biotic interactions. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.103389 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.103389 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/103389/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/103389/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.103301 2023-04-18 aquaticinvasions

Growth and competitions of the Australian red-claw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens, 1868) in Thailand: the experimental approaches Jutagate,Tuantong Kwangkhang,Wachira Saowakoon,Samnao Parastacidae length-weight relationship biotic resistance test additive–substitutive experiment freshwater crab specific growth rate Aquatic Invasions 18(1): 103-117 The Australian red-claw crayfish (RCC) Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens 1868) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Parastacidae) has been introduced and promoted for freshwater aquaculture in many countries including Thailand. This study i) evaluates the growth performance of RCC in near-natural conditions relative to captive conditions and ii) investigates how successfully RCC can compete with a trophically and functionally analogous native species. Growth of RCC was compared among two aquaculture systems (concrete tank and earthen pond) and a treatment with simulated natural conditions. After 12 months of rearing, total length and weight were greatest in the earthen pond and poorest in the near-natural treatment, with significant differences in total length between the near-natural treatment and the two culture systems. Length-weight relationships showed that the RCC had positive allometry in the culture systems but negative allometry in the near-natural treatment. Competition was evaluated by means of a biotic resistance test and an additive–substitutive experiment between RCC and the native freshwater crab Esanthelphusa dugasti (Rathbun, 1902) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Gecarcinucidae). Specific growth rates after 90 days of the experiments suggest that the crab inhibited growth of RCC. This implies that the invasion of RCC in Thai waters could be limited by competition from resident freshwater crabs. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.103301 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.103301 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/103301/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/103301/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.103610 2023-04-18 aquaticinvasions

Non-native species in Poyang Lake Basin: status, threats and management Xiong,Wen Xie,Dong Wang,Qiang Wang,Hui Wu,Zhigang Sun,Heying Li,Tao Bowler,Peter Aquaculture biological invasions biological conservation ecological impacts hotspot risk Aquatic Invasions 18(1): 119-134 Poyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in China and sustains a high level of biodiversity in the mid-reach area of the Yangtze River watershed. Poyang Lake is also one of the most important aquaculture regions in China, and a great number of non-native species have been introduced into it. We present a current and well-documented list of the non-native species of plants, molluscs, crustaceans, fishes, reptiles, and amphibians currently found in Lake. We found that there are 103 non-native species (83 vascular plants, 12 fishes, three crustacea, two molluscs, two reptiles and one amphibian) that have invaded Poyang Lake Basin, of which 96 non-native species were introduced after 2000. The invasion rate of non-native species reached 4.36 species year-1, which is the highest invasion rate recorded in freshwater ecosystems. The primary pathways of introduction are through the ornamental trade and unintentional escapes (30 species each, respectively), followed by food (19), aquaculture (15), forage grass (four), medicinal and oil (two, respectively), and biocontrol (one). The origins of non-native species are North America (29.12%), Asia (25.24%), South America (20.38%), Africa (18.44%), Europe (5.82%) and Oceania (0.97%). Many non-native species provide significant support for the rapid development of the local economy (such as aquaculture). However, many non-native species pose a great threat to local biodiversity and societal development. More studies that include monitoring and the development of strategies for managing and eliminating non-native species in Poyang Lake are needed. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.103610 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.1.103610 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/103610/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/103610/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.108485 2023-06-28 aquaticinvasions

International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species – ICAIS returned to Europe after 15 years Verreycken,Hugo Collas,Frank Coughlan,Neil Non-native aquatic species freshwater marine estuarine environments climate change research on AIS Aquatic Invasions 18(2): 135-140 The 22nd International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species (ICAIS) was held as a hybrid event in Oostende, Belgium from 18–22 April 2022. The conference addressed the theme of “Global Climate Change Amplifies Aquatic Invasive Species Impacts” and aimed to expand knowledge on the latest science and policy, inspire cooperation and collaboration on research and management projects at a global scale. Seven renowned international scientists provided keynote presentations on perspectives of climate change within their respective areas of expertise. This special issue of Aquatic Invasions presents nine academic papers addressing a range of aquatic invasive species issues including predation, life history dynamics, ecosystem impacts, and physiological tolerances. The papers highlight the need for regional, national, and international cooperation, collaboration on research and management projects, and targeted, specific, and actionable outreach to combat the growing threat posed by aquatic invasive species. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Editorial text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.108485 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.108485 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/108485/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/108485/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.104960 2023-06-28 aquaticinvasions

Detection of multiple fish species in the diet of the invasive round goby reveals new trophic interactions in the Baltic Sea Wallin Kihlberg,Isa Florin,Ann-Britt Lundström,Karl Östman,Örjan Neogobius melanostomus invasive species diet analysis DNA metabarcoding spatiotemporal comparison predator-prey interactions density-dependent feeding Aquatic Invasions 18(2): 141-162 The mesopredatory round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) is an important fish invader in fresh and brackish waters of the northern hemisphere. Trophic interactions of invasive species can generate ecological impacts across the food web in invaded ecosystems. Here we investigated major diet components, spatiotemporal variation in diet and the effect of round goby densities on diet composition in two geographically distinct round goby populations in the Baltic Sea. The round goby is a generalist feeder but previous diet studies, based on visual prey identification, have likely over-emphasized the importance of hard-shelled, invertebrate prey in round goby diet, as shells degrade and evacuate slowly relative to soft-bodied prey that break down rapidly in the stomach. We therefore, in addition to visual stomach content analysis, used DNA metabarcoding, which is less biased towards hard body structures of prey and can be used for species assignment of highly degraded prey. The results demonstrated that round goby diet composition varied between areas and years. Visual stomach content analysis indicated that blue mussel was the main prey in the southern area, whereas hydrobiid gastropods were the major diet component in the northern area. Metabarcoding revealed that several fish species, likely the egg or larval stages of e.g. stickleback, cod and herring, were also part of the round goby diet. Analyses suggested that round goby feeding on fishes was positively associated with round goby densities. Our study shows that round goby, in addition to benthic invertebrates, preys on several fish species of ecological and commercial importance. Thus, there is potential for predator-prey reversal and negative effects of the invasive round goby on large, predatory fishes. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.104960 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.104960 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/104960/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/104960/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.106252 2023-06-28 aquaticinvasions

Aliens eating aliens: an introduced amphipod as a potential prey of an invasive rocky shore crab in laboratory experiments Spilmont,Nicolas Seuront,Laurent Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus amphipod Ptilohyale littoralis predation behaviour Aquatic Invasions 18(2): 163-177 Behavioural interactions between introduced predators and introduced prey are still largely underestimated. The present work takes advantage of the co-occurrence of two introduced species, the Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus and the amphipod Ptilohyale littoralis, respectively first recorded on rocky shores along the French coast of the eastern English Channel in 2005 and 2016. In this context, the predation by male and female H. sanguineus on P. littoralis was examined under controlled laboratory conditions, by presenting either juveniles of the blue mussel Mytilus edulis or adult P. littoralis to H. sanguineus. We subsequently assessed the potential prey preference of the Asian shore crab for P. littoralis and M. edulis by presenting the two prey items simultaneously in the same proportion. In the absence of choice, male H. sanguineus preyed significantly more on M. edulis than P. littoralis. In contrast, females preyed significantly less on M. edulis than P. littoralis; however, male and female H. sanguineus consumed similar numbers of P. littoralis. When choice was possible between P. littoralis and M. edulis, the crab did not exhibit preference stricto sensu for any type of prey. These results suggest that the Asian shore crab cannot be considered as a naive predator when confronted to a newly introduced prey. Our results also suggest that the amphipod P. littoralis did not exhibit any effective antipredator response towards the crab. These observations nevertheless warrant further work on the effects of abiotic factors (e.g. temperature) as well as other biotic interactions (e.g. presence of other prey or predators for H. sanguineus) may have on the observed prey-predator interactions between H. sanguineus and M. edulis and P. littoralis. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.106252 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.106252 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/106252/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/106252/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.105548 2023-06-28 aquaticinvasions

The temporal abundance-distribution relationship in a global invader sheds light on species distribution mechanisms Ewers-Saucedo,Christine Normant-Saremba,Monika Keirsebelik,Heleen Schoelynck,Jonas invasive species geographic expansion abundance ecological principles natural resource management Eriocheir sinensis Aquatic Invasions 18(2): 179-197 The geographic expansion and abundance fluctuations of invasive species offer unprecedented insights to investigate potential mechanisms underlying the distribution-abundance relationship, one of the most universal patterns in community ecology. However, the abundance of invasive species is rarely documented in the needed detail. Data from historical records, scientific and popular literature, citizen science and expert interviews were synthesized to obtain insights into the long-term expansion and abundance cycles of the Chinese mitten crab, one of the world’s 100 worst invasive species. Thus for the first time, global long-term data on population size fluctuations have been correlated with the global spatiotemporal invasion history of a non-native species. Geographic expansions and increases in abundance co-occurred in the 1930s and again since the 1990s in agreement with the distribution-abundance relationship. Furthermore, a regional case study for the German river Elbe indicates that increases in abundance may be driven by improved riverine water quality and rising sea surface temperatures. Environmental restoration and climate change therefore benefit this invasive species, and could lead to further geographic expansion and increases in abundance. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.105548 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.105548 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/105548/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/105548/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.105436 2023-06-28 aquaticinvasions

Demographic and genetic structure of the quagga mussel, Dreissena rostriformis bugensis, in the Moselle River ten years after first observation Trunfio,Nicolas Bournonville,Thibaut Debortoli,Nicolas Marescaux,Jonathan Nogaro,Géraldine Beisel,Jean-Nicolas CO1 haplotypes growth-at-length invasive species population structure zebra-quagga coexistence Aquatic Invasions 18(2): 199-218 The quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) was first recorded in France in the Moselle River in 2011. The objective of this study was to obtain a better understanding of the species’ demographic and genetic structure ten years after its first observation. To do this, we examined quagga mussel (i) relative abundance/biomass (compared with the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), (ii) population structure, and (iii) genetic structure along the navigable stretch of the Moselle during four sampling events conducted between May 2021 and May 2022. The results indicate that, while zebra mussels are still the dominant species (ca. 2/3 of all dreissenid species), quagga mussels represent, on average, 60% of dreissenid biomass. A typical quagga population was composed of five different cohorts with wide, overlapping size ranges, suggesting that the mussels breed for much of the year. Growth in quagga mussel shell length was at least 1.4× greater than that for zebra mussels, regardless of season, with no interruption in growth observed during winter. Unlike zebra mussels, we failed to record any small quagga individuals (4–14 mm shell length) in our samples, possibly indicating high mortality induced by selective predation by invasive round gobies Neogobius melanostomus. Genetically, the three Moselle quagga mussel populations examined were highly homogeneous among themselves (based on microsatellite analysis), and very similar to those found elsewhere in Europe (diversity of CO1 haplotypes). A comparison with previous data suggests that the Moselle quagga population comprises haplotypes introduced over several successive introduction waves, a process that may continue in the future. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.105436 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.105436 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/105436/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/105436/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.105240 2023-06-28 aquaticinvasions

Which factors influence spatio–temporal changes in the distribution of invasive and native species of genus Carassius? Fedorčák,Jakub Križek,Peter Koščo,Jan Danube basin crucian carp angling fish farms habitat lost climate Aquatic Invasions 18(2): 219-230 Within the genus Carassius Jarocki, 1822 , the crucian carp (C. carassius L., 1758) occurs naturally in the northern part of Middle Danube Basin (Austria, Morava, Slovakia). This species has the least concern status in this region, but observations in the last decades suggest that it is very close to extinction here. The distribution of crucian carp is limited to a small number of vanishing lentic habitats (oxbow lakes, marshlands). These biotopes are in the last stage of succession due to the drying up of the landscape and a reduction in the creation of new natural alluvial habitats. The non-native cyprinid, C. gibelio (Bloch, 1782), known as gibel carp and Prussian carp, has gradually become eudominant in a wide spectrum of habitats/biotopes since the 1960s Several biological adaptations of non-native species are generally considered the strong basis for the mass spreading in the invaded area. The other side of the expansion of non-native C. gibelio is affected by anthropic activities associated with fish farming, translocation and stocking the fish in open water ecosystems. In this study, we analysed historical scientific data on the distribution of Carassius spp. published from the 19th century to the present from the mentioned areas. The results suggest that the number of records of invasive C. gibelio has gradually increase in rivers, regulated channels and creeks, which could be considered as natural pathways of spreading. However, the presence of invasive C. gibelio in artificial biotopes (fishponds, reservoirs) is continuous from the 1960s. In the area mentioned, the artificial biotopes are managed by national fisheries associations and relate to the historical way of farming in Central and Eastern European countries. To show the current state of the fishing grounds of the Slovak Angling Association, we a created the distribution map based on the Carassius spp. catches recorded in last two decades. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.105240 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.105240 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/105240/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/105240/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.104092 2023-06-28 aquaticinvasions

Expansion of the alien East Asian river prawn Macrobrachium nipponense (De Haan, 1849) in southwestern Ukraine and assessment of its commercial usage prospects Bushuiev,Sergii Snigirov,Sergii Son,Mikhail Sokolov,Ievhen Kharlov,Genadiy Kvach,Yuriy palaemonids Northern Black Sea region Danube River basin Dniester River basin deltaic zones commercial fishing invasive species Aquatic Invasions 18(2): 231-246 At this time East Asian river prawn Macrobrachium nipponense is present almost everywhere in the lower reaches of the Danube and Dniester basins, in the Danube-Dniester interfluves and water bodies to the east of the Dniester. Successful adaptation and favorable climatic conditions in recent years have provided a significant increase in the East Asian river prawn populations in the Danube and Dniester. High growth rates of M. nipponense have been observed in the Danube and Dniester. In these river basins, higher values of maximum body length of the prawn (males 115 mm, females 87 mm) than those recorded in the native range water bodies and the cooler water bodies of thermal power plants during introduction were recorded. In small shallow brackish-water reservoirs of the region (PSU 1.5–6.0) the growth rate of M. nipponense is significantly lower than in the freshwater Danube and Dniester deltaic zones. Female East Asian river prawn in such water bodies mature at a much smaller size. The egg-laying period of female M. nipponense in the Danube lasts from June to October. The peak of egg laying is observed in July and August. There have been reported cases of M. nipponense being affected by crustacean burn-spot disease. The prospect of organizing the fishing of M. nipponense in the Danube River has been determined. It is necessary to continue research to increase selectivity of fishing gears, determination of optimal terms of fishing, and places of installation of fishing gears. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.104092 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.104092 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/104092/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/104092/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.103208 2023-06-28 aquaticinvasions

Current temperatures limit the potential impact of a commonly traded predatory gastropod Dickey,James Jeschke,Jonathan M. Steffen,Gregor Kazanavičiūtė,Elžbieta Brennan,Reid Briski,Elizabeta Anentome helena ecological impact functional response invasive alien species molecular identification pet trade Aquatic Invasions 18(2): 247-261 The pet trade has facilitated the spread of invasive alien species (IAS) globally, with negative consequences for biodiversity. The prediction of impacts is a major goal for invasion ecologists, and is especially crucial in an industry often lacking knowledge about traded species. We focused on the predatory gastropod Anentome helena, a species originating in south-east Asia and traded around the world, but with taxonomic uncertainty. We first set out to determine where our study organism fell within the A. “helena” species complex, known to comprise at least four cryptic species, before assessing the effect of temperature on the number of prey, the pulmonate snail Physella acuta, killed per predator via functional response experiments at two temperatures. We used 22 °C as a recommended temperature for housing the species in captivity, and 18 °C as a representative summer lake temperature in temperate climates of Europe. We also assessed the role of predator group size (1×, 2×, 3×) on predation (total consumption and average per capita consumption) at the experimental temperatures with fixed densities of prey, as well as the effect of these temperatures on prey activity. Our organisms belonged to a cryptic species originating from Thailand (Anentome sp. A), matching the findings of aquarium trade samples in other continents. In the functional response experiments, we found maximum feeding rate to be significantly reduced at the lower temperature. A similar result ensued from group feeding, with total consumption significantly reduced and the reduction in average per capita consumption approaching significance at the lower temperature. There was no significant effect of group size on the average per capita consumption in the group trial, indicating neutral conspecific interactions. No significant effect of temperature on the activity of the prey species was found, suggesting decreased consumption was mainly driven by predator, rather than prey. These results suggest limited A. helena impacts in the short-term, but increasing temperatures with climate change may facilitate greater consequences from releases. We suggest future studies assess other potential predatory impacts and survival across relevant abiotic conditions, and encourage the use of similar methods to assess the impacts of other commonly traded species. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.103208 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.103208 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/103208/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/103208/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.104203 2023-06-28 aquaticinvasions

Temperature and salinity tolerances of juvenile invasive Japanese mystery snails Jaishanker,Pratyush Hall-Stratton,Daya Fowler,Amy Heterogen japonica survival invasive climate change freshwater Aquatic Invasions 18(2): 263-276 The freshwater Japanese mystery snail (Heterogen japonica) was introduced to the United States in the early 1900s and has since established populations throughout the continent. The species has ovoviviparous reproduction (i.e., eggs hatch within the mother and develop inside before being released as juveniles), which is one reason it has been successful. Despite its wide geographic range, little is known about its physiological tolerances. For example, high salinities and temperatures may limit its spread, and determining the species’ tolerance to these environmental factors is crucial to predict its possible range expansion. To test this, 600 juvenile H. japonica (average shell length: 6.0mm, range: 4.5–8.3mm) were collected from 28 females from a lake in Virginia, USA and placed in a fully crossed design to test the interaction between salinity (0.2 and 2 PSU) and temperature (25 °C, 34 °C and 38 °C). Juveniles were monitored for mortality over two weeks. Kaplan–Meier survival analyses determined median survival probabilities, and generalized linear models compared differences in mean survival. All juveniles in 25 °C (except one in 0.2 PSU) survived (N=199/200), and all juveniles in 38 °C died by the end of 14 days (N=200), irrespective of salinity. However, juveniles kept at 38 °C showed higher early (≤4 days) mortality in 0.2 PSU, but lower early mortality in 2 PSU. Importantly, juveniles in 2 PSU survived for ≥2 days (N=294/300) across all temperatures, indicating that there may be scope for expansion through estuaries. Future work should examine temperatures between 34 and 38 °C and salinities above 2 PSU to understand the extent of covariance between salinity and temperature and create mathematical models to estimate survivability and spread. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.104203 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.104203 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/104203/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/104203/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.103850 2023-06-28 aquaticinvasions

The influence of non-native invertebrate species in the food web structure of two Neotropical reservoirs Rosa,Daniel Monteiro,Angelo Barbosa Faria,Lucas Del Bianco Dos Santos Pompeu,Paulo trophic ecology fish Limnoperna predator-prey relationships Aquatic Invasions 18(2): 277-293 To investigate the influence of non-native aquatic invertebrate species on food web structure, we selected two reservoirs located in the Grande River (upper Paraná River basin, Brazil) with similar fish communities, different age and different taxa introductions history. We quarterly collected fish and benthonic macroinvertebrates samples in the Volta Grande and Funil reservoirs between October 2015 and August 2016. We used conventional methods of diet evaluation to assess the sampled fish and measured the availability of invertebrates (i.e. composition and density) present in the sediment samples from each reservoir. In addition, we performed a structural analysis of trophic interaction networks. Based on the data obtained, it was possible to identify that in Volta Grande most of the energy flow, between benthonic invertebrates (prey) and the fish community (predators), occurred through non-native prey species, especially Limnoperna fortunei and Macrobrachium amazonicum, while in Funil it was shared between non-native and native prey. Species loss simulations indicated that the networks did not differ substantially between random losses and losses between groups. In general, there was a decrease in the probability of occurrence of highly connected species in both reservoirs and between non-native and native species. Results showed that the new interactions among species influenced the importance of the available energy sources for the fish in the Volta Grande reservoir. The presence of non-native prey, especially M. amazonicum, may influence the interaction network structure, promoting community dependence on non-native species to ensure robustness to environmental disturbances. In the absence of pre-invasion data, the comparative study between systems with similar fish communities may provide a better understanding of the impacts caused by the introduction of non-native invertebrate prey. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.103850 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.2.103850 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/103850/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/103850/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.108128 2023-09-13 aquaticinvasions

First joint morphological and molecular detection of Watersipora subatra in the Mediterranean Sea presented in an updated genus phylogeny to resolve taxonomic confusion Gauff,Robin Bouchoucha,Marc Curd,Amelia Droual,Gabin Evrard,Justine Gayet,Nicolas Nunes,Flavia Bryozoa integrative taxonomy introduced species phylogeny NIS Aquatic Invasions 18(3): 295-312 Introduced species constitute a critical bio-security issue worldwide and the precise monitoring of their spread is crucial for their management. For species forming cryptic complexes this may remain difficult. Using integrative taxonomy, we formally report for the first time, well-established populations of the cosmopolitan introduced bryozoan Watersipora subatra in the French Mediterranean Sea and compile worldwide existing genetic data for Watersipora species alongside newly acquired data to establish the most complete phylogeny of the genus to date. This revealed pervasive erroneous identifications in Genbank, which in turn perpetrate further errors in recent studies, primarily misidentifying W. subatra as W. subtorquata. High abundance and geographic spread of W. subatra in our Mediterranean sampling sites suggest that this species has been present for some time but has been misidentified until now. We provide an updated species identification for all current reference sequences in the Watersipora genus, which may help future monitoring of W. subatra and other Watersipora species. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.108128 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.108128 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/108128/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/108128/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.103350 2023-09-13 aquaticinvasions

Functionally novel invasive predator eradicates herbivores of a littoral community Jormalainen,Veijo Kiiskinen,Essi Hauhia,Veera Merilaita,Sami Mud crab Baltic Sea herbivory Idotea balthica ecosystem function Aquatic Invasions 18(3): 313-329 In the Archipelago Sea as in most other parts of the Baltic Sea, the bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus) is a foundation species of the littoral communities of the rocky shores. It sustains a community of epiphytic algae, herbivorous crustaceans and molluscs and various fish. Recently we have noticed a steep decline in the occurrence of the herbivorous crustaceans and molluscs in many sites in the Archipelago Sea. We hypothesise that a key factor contributing to this decline is the recent introduction of the Harris mud crab (Rhithropanopeus harrisii), which was first sighted in 2009 in this region. Importantly, because there are no native crabs in the northern parts of the Baltic Sea, the mud crab is a completely novel kind of predator in the ecosystem and the herbivorous crustaceans and molluscs may be particularly susceptible to it. Here, we document a dramatic decline of the typical herbivores occurring on the bladder wrack, possibly indicating an ongoing regime shift, by comparing our recent samples from across the Archipelago Sea with data collected a decade before the sighting of the mud crab. Moreover, we demonstrate a spatio-temporal association between the decline, particularly of the key herbivore species, the isopod Idotea balthica, and the establishment of the mud crab. We also present experimental evidence for a strong predator-prey -link between the mud crab and the isopod I. balthica. Finally, we discuss the possible consequences of the community change and scrutinise alternative explanations for our observations. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.103350 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.103350 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/103350/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/103350/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.104556 2023-09-13 aquaticinvasions

Vertical distribution of the salt marsh invader Spartina alterniflora and native halophytes on the west coast of Korea in relation to tidal regimes Kim,Sungtae Yu,Cheol Ruesink,Jennifer Hong,Jae-Sang saltmarsh plants invasive species megatidal flat Yellow Sea Korean coastal wetland Ganghwa Jindo Aquatic Invasions 18(3): 331-349 Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora Loisel.), an aggressive non-native species worldwide, colonized tidal flats on the west coast of Korea in two regions differing in tidal amplitude between 1990–2004. By the time of our study in 2015, expansion had occurred both clonally and through formation of new patches, providing an opportunity to determine intertidal range, which is a key component of understanding the threat posed by S. alterniflora through competition with native halophytes or transformation of unstructured mudflat. At Ganghwa (5.69 m tidal range), S. alterniflora ranged from 3.52 to 1.34 m above Mean Sea Level (MSL). At Jindo (2.02 m tidal range), S. alterniflora ranged from 1.57 to -0.18 m relative to MSL. Thus, a wider absolute intertidal range was occupied by S. alterniflora at the megatidal vs mesotidal region, but the lower limit of S. alterniflora did not extend below MSL under megatidal conditions, a pattern that now appears to emerge consistently in both the native and introduced range. In both study regions, S. alterniflora occurred at the same elevations as other salt marsh plants, occupying an upper zone with Phragmites australis (non-native) and middle zone with several native species including Suaeda japonica. S. alterniflora occurred below native marsh vegetation at all sites, which would result in transformation of the extensive mudflats along the Korean coast. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.104556 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.104556 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/104556/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/104556/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.106635 2023-09-13 aquaticinvasions

Preferential presence in harbours confirms the non-indigenous species status of Ammonia confertitesta (Foraminifera) in the English Channel Pavard,Jean-Charles Bouchet,Vincent Richirt,Julien Courleux,Apolyne Armynot du Châtelet,Eric Duong,Gwendoline Abraham,Romain Pezy,Jean-Philippe Dauvin,Jean-Claude Seuront,Laurent benthic foraminifera Ammonia species exotic species Northeast Atlantic International commercial harbours Aquatic Invasions 18(3): 351-369 Though the morphological discrimination of the three pseudo-cryptic Ammonia species, A. aberdoveyensis, A. confertitesta and A. veneta, has been recently established, information on their ecology and habitats are still relatively scarce. This study aims to define distribution patterns of these species at eight sites scattered along the French coasts of the English Channel, over a total of 39 stations. These sites were classified into two habitats, either harbours (heavily modified sites) or less impacted (moderately influenced sites). The use of IndVal index (an index based on how a species is statistically specific to a habitat) clearly indicates that A. confertitesta is recorded preferentially in or close to harbours. Considering its non-indigenous species (NIS) status in Europe, we investigated its reported occurrences in Europe in the literature. It almost always showed a proximity to major European harbours. Sometimes, this species occurred relatively far away from these harbours, suggesting a secondary spread. Finally, this work interprets A. confertitesta being a NIS in the eastern English Channel with assumptions of being invasive regarding its dominance over the indigenous species A. aberdoveyensis and A. veneta. Complementary works such as retrospective core studies of fossil faunas are needed to quantitatively assess when and where A. confertitesta was introduced in Europe and potentially started to replace its congenerics A. veneta and A. aberdoveyensis. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.106635 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.106635 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/106635/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/106635/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.109673 2023-09-13 aquaticinvasions

Population structure and density of a new invasive species Rangia cuneata in the Szczecin Lagoon (Odra/Oder estuary, Poland) Czerniejewski,Przemysław Dąbrowski,Jarosław Brysiewicz,Adam Formicki,Krzysztof Atlantic rangia clams abundance size and age structure growth habitat Aquatic Invasions 18(3): 371-384 The native North American bivalve species Rangia cuneata was unintentionally introduced into European waters during the first decade of the 21st century. In the Baltic Sea, it is mostly found along the southeastern coast, but in 2018 researchers also discovered the species in the Bay of Pomerania, which indicated that it could eventually inhabit the adjacent Szczecin Lagoon and Odra River. In 2021, the species was discovered for the first time in the Szczecin Lagoon during a sampling campaign, at 5 out of the 12 dispersed study sites with diverse bottom substrates. The goal of this study was to ascertain R. cuneata population density, morphometric parameters, individual growth, and the potential for further expansion in the southern Baltic Sea waters. For the study, 201 individuals of this species were collected. Compared to other sites in the southeast Baltic, the Szczecin Lagoon had a much lower average R. cuneata population density, at 13.2 ± 7.11 individuals m-2 of the bottom area. The highest population density was found at sites with more silt (4–63 µm) and less sand (>63 µm). R. cuneata shells had an average length of 30.9 ± 4.6 mm and an average weight of 6.6 ± 2.8 g. The collected specimens were greater in size than other populations of the species in the Baltic Sea and were comparable in size to populations from the nearby Bay of Pomerania. There were no specimens that were under 10 mm in length, and the population was dominated by specimens in the 25–30 mm and 30–35 mm ranges, as well as the 3+ and 4+ age groups. Given the R. cuneata’s invasive potential and its fast rate of colonization of new areas, it would be prudent to monitor this population and the species migration patterns across the estuary waters of the western Baltic. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.109673 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.109673 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/109673/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/109673/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.109001 2023-09-13 aquaticinvasions

Predicted increased distribution of non-native red drum in China’s coastal waters under climate change Li,Jintao Li,Linjie Xing,Yankuo Wang,Linlong Zhu,Yugui Kang,Bin climate warming species distribution model species interaction aquaculture management Aquatic Invasions 18(3): 385-400 Climate change and species invasions are among the most serious threats to global biodiversity, and climate change will further greatly alter the distribution of invasive species. The red drum Sciaenops ocellatus (Linnaeus, 1766) has established non-native populations in many parts of the world, leading to negative effects on local ecosystems. In this study, based on 455 global occurrence records (38 of which were in Chinese waters) and 5 biologically relevant variables (average ocean bottom temperature, ocean bottom average salinity, ocean bottom average flow rate, depth, and distance from shore), a weighted ensemble model was developed to predict the current potential distribution of red drum in Chinese waters and the future distribution under two climate change scenarios (RCP 26 and RCP 85). Based on the True Skill Statistics (TSS) and the Area Under Curve (AUC), the ensemble model showed more accurate predictive performance than any single model. Among the five environmental variables, the average temperature was the most important environmental variable influencing the distribution of red drum. Ensemble model prediction showed that the current suitable habitat of red drum was mainly concentrated on the coast of Chinese mainland, around Hainan Island, and the western coastal waters of Taiwan Province (17~41°N). Projections in the 2050s and 2100s suggested that red drum would expand northwards under both future climate scenarios (RCP 26 and RCP 85), especially in the western part of the Yellow Sea and along the Bohai Sea coast, which should be involved in the management strategies to maintain ecosystem structure and function. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.109001 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.109001 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/109001/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/109001/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.104066 2023-09-13 aquaticinvasions

Distribution in the estuary and salinity tolerance of armored catfish (Loricariidae) in Central Vietnam Pavlov,Efim Dien,Tran Duc Ganzha,Ekaterina invasive fish fish spreading brackish water water salinity locomotor activity breathing Aquatic Invasions 18(3): 401-414 In the last decade, invasive suckermouth armored catfish Pterygoplichthys spp. spread among many river systems of Vietnam. Extended distribution of armored catfish might be associated with using brackish water in estuaries for fish spread from one river system to another. The first goal of our study was to assess the occurrence of armored catfish in the estuary of the Da Rang River (Phu Yen Province, Vietnam) and their distribution depending on the horizontal salinity gradient (4–25 PSU). Fish were mainly caught by stationary bottom traps in water salinity from 4 PSU to 18 PSU. The second goal of our study was to experimentally evaluate the ability of armored catfish to move and breathe in seawater (33 PSU). Fish moved in horizontal and vertical planes after transfer into seawater during the first 15 minutes. Fish moved around less by the 13th–15th minutes in seawater. Armored catfish moved around more in seawater than in freshwater. The exposure to seawater for 6 minutes led to deterioration of fish breathing. The results of our field and experimental studies established that armored catfish are found and able to move in brackish waters but avoid high salinity water. These facts provide support for the hypothesis of armored catfish invasion through the estuaries and coastlines. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.104066 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.3.104066 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/104066/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/104066/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.114182 2023-11-08 aquaticinvasions

Horizon scanning for potentially invasive non-native marine species to inform trans-boundary conservation management – Example of the northern Gulf of Mexico O'Shaughnessy,Kathryn Vilizzi,Lorenzo Daniel,Wesley McGarrity,Monica Bauer,Hanna Hartman,Leslie Geiger,Stephen Sammarco,Paul Kolian,Steve Porter,Scott Dutton,Jessica McClure,Matthew Norberg,Michael Fogg,Alexander Lyons,Timothy Procopio,Justin Bantista,Lauren Bennett,Wayne Wicksten,Mary Reeves,David Lively,Julie Robinson,Elizabeth Brenner,Jorge Goy,Joseph W. Morgan-Olvera,Ashley Yunnie,Anna Copp,Gordon Alien species Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK) biodiversity early detection introduction vectors risk analysis Aquatic Invasions 18(4): 415-453 Prevention of non-native species introductions and establishment is essential to avoid adverse impacts of invasive species in marine environments. To identify potential new invasive species and inform non-native species management options for the northern Gulf of Mexico (Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas), 138 marine species were risk screened for current and future climate conditions using the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit. Species were risk-ranked as low, medium, high, and very high risk based on separate (calibrated) thresholds for fishes, tunicates, and invertebrates. In the basic screening, 15 fishes, two tunicates, and 26 invertebrates were classified as high or very high risk under current climate conditions. Whereas, under future climate conditions, 16 fishes, three tunicates, and 33 invertebrates were classified as high or very high risk. Very high risk species included: California scorpionfish Scorpaena guttata, red scorpionfish Scorpaena scrofa, purple whelk Rapana venosa, and Santo Domingo false mussel Mytilopsis sallei under both current and future climates, with weedy scorpionfish Rhinopias frondosa, Papuan scorpionfish Scorpaenopsis papuensis, daggertooth pike conger Muraenesox cinereus, yellowfin scorpionfish Scorpaenopsis neglecta, tassled scorpionfish Scorpaenopsis oxycephalus, brush-clawed shore crab Hemigrapsus takanoi, honeycomb oyster Hyotissa hyotis, carinate rock shell Indothais lacera, and Asian green mussel Perna viridis under climate change conditions only. This study provides evidence to inform trans-boundary management plans across the five Gulf of Mexico states to prevent, detect, and respond rapidly to new species arrivals. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.114182 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.114182 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/114182/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/114182/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.111481 2023-11-08 aquaticinvasions

Models based on chronological data correctly predict the spread of freshwater aliens, and reveal a strong influence of river access, anthropogenic activities and climate regimes Rodríguez-Rey,Marta Consuegra,Sofia Garcia de Leaniz,Carlos aquatic non-native species human ecology introduction pathways management species distribution models forecasting Aquatic Invasions 18(4): 455-472 Alien species constitute one of the main threats to freshwater ecosystems, negatively impacting biodiversity, economy, biosecurity and ecosystem services. Predicting the arrival and spread of alien species is of paramount importance to prevent new introductions and control the expansion and establishment of already introduced species. We modelled the distribution of four freshwater invaders in Great Britain, using environmental and anthropogenic predictors, to help focus management actions. The species grouped different taxa including signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), the marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus), the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta) and the pike-perch (Sander lucioperca). The modelling approach accounted for methodological limitations and implemented two evaluations, a temporal evaluation using data corresponding to 70% of the oldest records to calibrate models and the remaining 30% for evaluation using various performance metrics (the common AUC, TSS and also null models) and an independent evaluation using the most recent range expansion of the species in the last six years. The distribution of the species was facilitated by multiple environmental and anthropogenic predictors. Road density was the second most important predictor of the occurrence of signal crayfish and red-eared slider preceded by the distance to ports and isothermality for each species respectively. Human population density was the most important predictor of marsh frog presence whereas pike-perch was mostly related to the proximity of boat ramps and precipitation regimes. Our distribution models were accurate and predicted the most recent range expansion of all of the species, highlighting their usefulness for preventing alien species spread and the value of using historical projections, usually available for non-native species, to calibrate and evaluate Species Distribution Models. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.111481 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.111481 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/111481/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/111481/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.111650 2023-11-08 aquaticinvasions

Early stage of invasion of the quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) within the interconnected lakes Lough Ree and Lough Derg of the Shannon River system, Ireland Flynn,Oscar Minchin,Dan Caplice,Martina B O'Leary,Kate Swanwick,Heather Baars,Jan-Robert bivalve cohorts distribution dreissenid length-frequency population structure Aquatic Invasions 18(4): 473-486 Quagga and zebra mussels of the genus Dreissena are two of the most impactful freshwater invasive alien species that have spread widely across the globe. These species attach to natural and artificial substrates, form dense populations and filter large volumes of water causing ecological and economic damage. Following the quagga mussel’s discovery in the Shannon River system in Ireland, this study assesses its local distribution, population density, relative abundance, and population structure in the interconnected lakes Lough Ree and Lough Derg in order to determine the likely year and location of its introduction. Polymodal length-frequency analysis was used to distinguish between year cohorts and estimate growth rates. The quagga mussel is established widely across both lakes and is settling on a range of artificial surfaces, natural substrates, dead shells, plant material, and other invasive bivalves. High densities of quagga mussels exceeding 20 000 individuals per m2 were present on artificial surfaces in Lough Ree with total dreissenid densities reaching 26 758 per m2. The relative abundance of quagga mussels to zebra mussels on natural substrates is high in Lough Ree (up to 94.7%) and low in Lough Derg (up to 16.8%). Two to four year cohorts were present at all sites, with quagga mussels attaining large shell sizes over 34 mm in length. Growth varied between sites with a maximum estimated yearly growth rate of 16.8 mm. The time and place of the quagga mussel’s initial introduction in Ireland is still uncertain, but its widespread distribution, population structure, and high population density and relative abundance suggest it was first introduced to Lough Ree in 2016 or 2017. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.111650 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.111650 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/111650/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/111650/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.113092 2023-11-08 aquaticinvasions

The Tanaidacea challenge to invasion science: taxonomic ambiguities and small size result in another potential overlooked introduction to the Iberian coast and nearby areas Stepien,Anna Jażdżewska,Anna Ribeiro,Romeu Sardinha Santos,Rafael Ros,Macarena Peracarida Mediterranean North Atlantic morphology non-indigenous species COI barcoding Aquatic Invasions 18(4): 487-506 A major challenge in invasion science is detecting overlooked introductions, their pathways of introduction and spread. One of the most successful introduced taxa in aquatic ecosystems are peracarid crustaceans. There are a growing number of reports of accidental introductions of peracarids worldwide, mostly related to human transport hubs (e.g., ports and marinas). Tanaidaceans are especially abundant in these communities. Most frequently given examples of natural and anthropogenic passive dispersers belong to the family Tanaididae. However, their wide distribution requires confirmation. Most records come from 70–80’ of last century, when identification of the species relied only on morphological characters. The small size and large intraspecific variation of tanaidids generate a high taxonomic uncertainty, as in the case of Zeuxo turkensis. Population of this species was previously known from Turkish, Japanese, and Australian coasts. In the two last places this tanaidid was identified as Hexapleomera sasuke, despite there were some premises that it should be synonymized with Z. turkensis. Here we investigate specimens that resembled both Hexapleomera sasuke and Zeuxo turkensis collected in marinas around the Iberian and Moroccan coasts. Integrating morphological and molecular methods (barcoding) we confirmed: (1) the first record and presence of well-structured populations of Z. turkensis in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, representing the first record of the species for Atlantic waters; (2) the conspecificity between H. sasuke and Z. turkensis, which should be synonymized; and (3) the wide distribution of Z. turkensis associated with human transport hubs (i.e. marinas) in the study area, showing its potential for introduction and spread. Integrated approaches and greater taxonomic support are key to advancing knowledge on the origin and invasion patterns of this and other small and poorly known human-mediated widespread species. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.113092 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.113092 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/113092/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/113092/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.113911 2023-11-08 aquaticinvasions

Size-dependent functional response of the round goby Neogobius melanostomus; implications for more accurate impact potential calculation Franta,Pavel Gebauer,Radek Veselý,Lukáš Szydłowska,Natalia Drozd,Bořek Asellus aquaticus biological invasion ecological impact foraging efficiency invasive species risk assessment Aquatic Invasions 18(4): 507-520 Abundance and per-capita foraging efficiency are essential factors for predicting and quantifying an invasive predator impact on prey, i.e., the impact potential (IP). However, population structure is not included in the calculation, and IP accuracy might be improved by incorporating predator body size. The population structure of the round goby Neogobius melanostomus, a highly invasive predator, was surveyed in the Elbe River. We determined the functional response (FR, per capita foraging) of the three most abundant size classes of N. melanostomus on the water louse Asellus aquaticus. We then calculated the IP for each size class and for the entire population with (the actual impact potential – IPA) and without (the impact potential for limit size rage – IPLSR) population body size structure (based on FR of the medium size class). All three size classes of the predator showed type II FR with respect to A. aquaticus. The estimated FR parameters, attack rate and handling time, as well as the maximum feeding rate, were size dependent. Despite the lowest per capita foraging efficiency, small individuals displayed the highest IP among the tested size classes because of their high abundance. Conversely, medium and large individuals, although showing highest per capita foraging efficiency, displayed lower IP. Hence, IPA showed more precise IP calculations compared to IPLSR. Overestimation of the potential impact as a consequence of omitting predator population size structure was negligible at the investigated locality. The IP of the N. melanostomus population five years post-invasion can be accurately calculated based on the FR of medium-sized fish. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.113911 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.113911 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/113911/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/113911/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.113532 2023-11-08 aquaticinvasions

Dietary habits change of Lessepsian migrants’ fish from the Red Sea to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea Tsadok,Rami Zemah-Shamir,Ziv Shemesh,Eli Martinez,Stephane Ramon,Debra Kolski,Itai Tsemel,Anat Tchernov,Dan Stable isotope Biological Invasion Climate Change Sargocentron rubrum Siganus rivulatus Parupeneus forsskali Pterois miles Aquatic Invasions 18(4): 521-531 As impacts on the Mediterranean Sea are expected to grow in the future, especially with climate change, habitat degradation, and displacement of native species by non-indigenous species (NIS), the investigation of significant alterations to trophic levels in this diverse marine habitat is important. Analysis of stable isotopes from targeted consumers has previously been shown to reliably reflect that of primary producers, thus enabling us to describe and highlight potential shifts in the food web of a particular ecosystem. In this study, we used δ13C values of essential amino acids (AA) in order to examine the dietary composition of established non-native, Lessepsian fish migrants in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea compared to that of the same fish species from their original population in the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea. Our data show that a clear variance in carbon isotopic signatures exists in food sources consumed by the same species between the different environments, with the exception of the classic herbivore, Siganus rivulatus (Forsskål & Niebuhr, 1775), whose very similar isotopic patterns reflect the algal source they predominantly consume in both locations. With the results of this research, we propose that Lessepsian fishes with the ability to maintain their nutritional patterns, though not necessarily that of their original food source, will acclimatize better in their new habitat. Consequences of flourishing Lessepsian fish populations include a further tropicalization of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and the likely restructuring of local food webs. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.113532 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.113532 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/113532/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/113532/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.112766 2023-11-08 aquaticinvasions

Thermal tolerance for three ornamental tankbuster catfishes Tuckett,Quenton Lyons,Timothy Hill,Jeffrey Chronic lethal temperature Florida goonch redtail catfish tiger sorubim Aquatic Invasions 18(4): 533-542 Pet abandonment is an important introduction vector for freshwater aquarium fishes, as unwanted pets become too large for tank dimensions and are released into the environment. Concerns over pet abandonment may be particularly important for the U.S. state of Florida, which exhibits abundant access to freshwater habitats and a climate more favorable to tropical aquarium fishes than other continental U.S. states. Numerous studies have examined the factors affecting establishment for non-native species, including the importance of propagule pressure and climate suitability. For freshwater aquarium species, maximum body size can increase pet abandonment because they grow too large for the tank dimensions (i.e., “tankbusters”). Thus, large maximum body size may increase propagule pressure due to intentional release. In addition to being introduced in sufficient numbers, a match between the thermal tolerance of a species and the thermal habitat is necessary for establishment. Several large-bodied catfishes are found in the aquarium trade, including the goonch Bagarius spp., redtail catfish Phractocephalus hemioliopterus, and tiger sorubim Pseudoplatystoma tigrinum. Here, we experimentally determined the chronic lethal minimum temperature (CLmin) for the three catfishes. CLMin estimates for these three species were higher than many other ornamental species, highest for the redtail catfish (14.3 °C), lower for the tiger sorubim (11.0 °C), and lowest (9.9 °C) for the goonch. Given these lethal temperatures, the distribution of redtail catfish would be limited to South Florida while the tiger sorubim and goonch could live, provided other habitat characteristics are suitable, up to ~28°N Latitude in Florida. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2023 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.112766 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2023.18.4.112766 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/112766/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/112766/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.115111 2024-02-07 aquaticinvasions

Adaptive mechanisms of invasion of Chthamalus challengeri (Hoek, 1883) in the trans-oceanic zone of coastal China Chen,Ningning Liu,Yan Yuan,Lin Wu,Huixian Xue,Junzeng stages development settlement Zhoushan Sea China Sea Aquatic Invasions 19(1): 1-23 Chthamalus challengeri Hoek, 1883 (Crustacea, Cirripedia) is typically found in the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea along the coast of China. However, until 2009, it was never seen in the East China Sea. In 2010, C. challengeri was discovered at Yangshan Port in Zhoushan, East China Sea, and it has since been found to invade several islands in the Zhoushan Islands area successfully. Although the population that invaded Yangshan Port has disappeared in recent years, the population that successfully invaded the other islands in Zhoushan has been increasing in density. To study the ecological adaptability of C. challengeri larvae from the Zhoushan Sea Area, we conducted an experiment observing the larvae’s response to different temperatures and salinity gradients. The results indicate that the C. challengeri larvae are highly adaptable to different temperatures and salinities, and under temperatures ranging from 10–25 °C and salinities of 25–35, nauplius can complete all six stages of development and reach a settlement. We found that the survival and settlement rates during larval development were highest at 20 °C and salinity 30, which could be considered the optimum conditions for C. challengeri larvae. At these conditions, it took approximately 11.5 days for the larvae to undergo development from nauplius I to complete settlement. However, lower temperatures slowed down the development rate and settlement of C. challengeri larvae to some extent, while high temperatures can directly lead to the death of C. challengeri. According to the results of this study, the settlement period of C. challengeri in a new habitat can last as long as 7 months (April to November) compared to its original environment. This extended settlement period could provide favorable conditions for the long-distance dispersal of C. challengeri and enhance its invasive ability in new habitats. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.115111 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.115111 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/115111/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/115111/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.113978 2024-02-07 aquaticinvasions

Successful colonization of the Red Sea Yellowspotted Puffer, Torquigener flavimaculosus in the Mediterranean without a genetic bottleneck Tikochinski,Yaron Ohana,Talya Motro,Uzi Golani,Daniel COI control region D-loop founder effect Lessepsian migration speciation Aquatic Invasions 19(1): 25-34 The Yellowspotted Puffer Torquigener flavimaculosus (Hardy & Randall, 1983) invaded the Mediterranean from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. In the present study, we analyzed two mitochondrial loci, the cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) and the control region (D-loop), from the Mediterranean and the Red Sea populations. Both the COI and the D-loop showed no decrease of genetic variability in the Mediterranean population compared to the source population from the Red Sea. When comparing the genetic variability to two other species of the Tetraodontidae family (Takifugu rubripes and Takifugu obscurus), the mean divergence within the T. flavimaculosus is almost twice as large. T. flavimaculosus has two distinct genetic groups, similarly represented both in the Red Sea and in the Mediterranean, with similar coefficients of differentiation in COI, in D-loop, and, not surprisingly, in the two genes combined. This suggests that T. flavimaculosus has most likely established a sustainable population in the Suez Canal, that has gradually dispersed northward and eventually entered the Mediterranean with a large number of individuals, carrying a great deal of its genetic variability. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.113978 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.113978 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/113978/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/113978/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.117155 2024-02-07 aquaticinvasions

Pontederia crassipes invasiveness on Jeju island is linked to a decline in water pH and climate change-driven overwintering Song,Uhram Oh,SeokHyeon Kim,Byoung Woo Jeong,Seonah Rim,Hojun water hyacinth water pH climate change overwintering Aquatic Invasions 19(1): 35-49 Freshwater ecosystems are vulnerable to the invasion of exotic aquatic plant species because of the great likelihood of the introduction of exotic species, and the lack of barriers that block introduced species. Water hyacinth, Pontederia crassipes Mart., is one of the world’s most invasive alien plant species damaging freshwater ecosystems worldwide. Here, we monitored the water hyacinth population on Jeju island, Korea, to assess current invasion risks. Furthermore, we investigated how water hyacinth affects water pH because pH is an important determinant of the distribution of other aquatic plants, and thus a good indicator of aquatic ecosystem health. Water containing water hyacinth had a pH of 5.3, while that with water hyacinth and soil had a pH of 4.8 72 hours after the start of the experiment. Water hyacinth extracts contained shikimic acid, stearic acid, and palmitic acid, which are possible compounds that caused a decline in water pH. Water hyacinth also inhibited the growth of the aquatic plant species, Spirodela polyrhiza and Lemna perpusilla. These results imply that invasion of water hyacinth adversely impacts the abiotic and biotic characteristics of aquatic ecosystems. Moreover, monitoring the water hyacinth population suggests that this invasive aquatic plant overwinters on Jeju island. Therefore, regular monitoring and subsequent control of water hyacinth population can prevent its expansion in the aquatic habitats of Jeju island and the southern region of the Korean peninsula. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.117155 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.117155 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/117155/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/117155/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.114856 2024-02-07 aquaticinvasions

Recent and future distribution of the alien Chinese pond mussel Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) on the European continent Mehler,Knut Labecka,Anna Maria Sîrbu,Ioan Flores,Natasha Y. Leuven,Rob S. E. W. Collas,Frank alien species Canoco climate change MaxEnt ordination methods species distribution modelling Aquatic Invasions 19(1): 51-72 The alien freshwater mussel Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) has rapidly spread throughout Europe over the past decades. This species can cope with a broad range of environmental conditions and has a high reproductive capacity making S. woodiana a successful invader. Due to its negative effects on native freshwater mollusk communities and parasitized fish it is critical to identify suitable habitats where S. woodiana may persist and how these habitats may be altered under future climate projections. We applied multivariate ordination methods to analyze the space-time relationship and a maximum entropy approach (MaxEnt) to predict the recent (1970–2000) and future (2041–2060 and 2081–2100) distribution of S. woodiana using environmental and climate variables for the European continent. After first sightings in 1979 there were only a few new locations and findings which increased unevenly and exponentially to a maximum of about 100 new locations per year followed by decline during the last few years. Under recent climate condition, 2.3% of European watersheds are predicted as highly suitable habitat for S. woodiana and located in the temperate climate zone between 40°N and 60°N. Suitable habitat was associated with lowland watersheds characterized by fluviatile deposits and agriculture. Elevation, the distance between water bodies, land cover and mean temperature of the coldest quarter were the main factors influencing the modeling results. For future climate scenarios, highly suitable habitat increased to 2.4% by the middle of this century and decreased to 2.2% by the end of the century under the ‘least radiative forcing’ scenario. For the intermediate and high radiative forcing in 2050 and 2100, highly suitable habitat decreased to 2.2% and 1.7% and to 2.2% and 2.2%, respectively. Results from our study can be used as a baseline to better understand potential invasion pathways, identify high risk areas, and to initiate early detection and rapid response strategies. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.114856 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.114856 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/114856/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/114856/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.117603 2024-02-07 aquaticinvasions

Climate match fails to explain variation in establishment success of non-native freshwater fishes in a warm climate region Hill,Jeffrey Tuckett,Quenton Lawson,Katelyn CLIMATCH Florida risk assessment ERSS invasive species non-native fish Aquatic Invasions 19(1): 73-83 For non-native species, climate can act as a primary filter limiting establishment. Numerous studies examining climate similarity between native and introduced regions have been completed for temperate areas, however we know little about how well climate matching performs for warmer regions. For non-native freshwater fish introduced to warm regions, one potential problem with climate matching is that fish from both temperate and tropical source regions could establish. Our goal was to examine whether climate matching can predict the establishment of non-native freshwater fish for a warm climate region. We used CLIMATCH, a widely applied climate matching program, to analyze climate similarity between source and target regions for 37 successfully established species and 36 species that have failed to establish. CLIMATCH was calculated in two ways for successfully established species, with Florida records included (post hoc) and without Florida records (a priori). The mean post hoc score for successful species was higher than that of failed species; however, the mean a priori score for successful species did not significantly differ from failed species. On average, post hoc scores were inflated 1.5 times over a priori scores. The post hoc result is tautological—the scores are high because the species is successful, and the species is successful because the scores are high. These results highlight two issues for climate matching: (1) as commonly done post hoc, degree of climate match and predictive power may be overestimated and (2) a priori applications may lack predictive power. We recommend consideration of these issues in the use and interpretation of CLIMATCH for prediction. Additional research into regional importance of climate variables (temperature and precipitation) is warranted, especially in warm climate regions. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.117603 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.117603 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/117603/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/117603/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.116273 2024-02-07 aquaticinvasions

Trophic position and niche overlap of an Asian weatherfish (Misgurnus bipartitus), western tubenose goby (Proterorhinus semilunaris) and native benthic fish species Lemmers,Pim Olde Wolbers,Robin van der Velde,Gerard Leuven,Rob S. E. W. Bayesian analysis food competition niche differentiation resource partitioning stable isotopes Aquatic Invasions 19(1): 85-108 Co-occurring and morphologically similar species have adapted to differential niches to minimize competition. An invasive alien species can occupy an ‘empty niche’ in introduced ranges. Alternatively, the invader may occupy an overlapping niche and compete with native species to a certain degree. In a Western European lowland brook with high nutrient loads, we studied a benthic community of five fish species, including two alien species: an Asian weatherfish (Misgurnus bipartitus) and the western tubenose goby (Proterorhinus semilunaris). The native species concerned stone loach (Barbatula barbatula), spined loach (Cobitis taenia), and gudgeon (Gobio gobio). Because of the unknown effects of the invaders on native benthic fish species, the trophic position, isotopic niche overlap, and potential food competition among these species were identified using nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes. The trophic levels of the five fish species indicated that they are secondary consumers. The body size of native fish species correlated significantly negatively with their δ15N (‰) signature, in contrast with the invaders indicating that the latter are generalists. Significant isotopic niche overlap was observed among all benthic species. The degree of niche overlap of M. bipartitus was the highest with G. gobio (91.8%). Proterorhinus semilunaris showed the highest degree of niche overlap with B. barbatula (91.2%). It was notable that the observed niche overlap between the native B. barbatula and C. taenia was high (99.2%). Overlap between M. bipartitus and P. semilunaris was low (8.9%), indicating little resource competition between these alien species. Native species showed wider isotopic niches than the invaders. Bayesian mixing models revealed that native and alien species slightly differ in their main diet. The results suggest that the invaders are plastic in their resource use, leading to niche differentiation and promoting the co-existence of benthic fish species. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.116273 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.116273 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/116273/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/116273/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.116040 2024-02-07 aquaticinvasions

Progression along the invasion curve: silver carp growth slows temporally in two Missouri River tributaries Harms,Justin Jimerson,Kenny Schmidt,Joshua Lucchesi,Dave Schall,Benjamin Coulter,Alison bigheaded carp invasion stages growth rivers invasive carp establishment von Bertalanffy growth Aquatic Invasions 19(1): 109-120 Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Valenciennes, 1844) have been invading North American rivers for decades, often altering zooplankton community structure and impacting native fishes. Silver carp invaded eastern South Dakota tributaries of the Missouri River in the early 2000s. Changes in dynamic rate functions can occur as invasive populations move to the latter stages of the invasion curve, but direct temporal assessments of silver carp populations are limited. Our objectives were to compare current growth of silver carp 1) between the Big Sioux and James rivers in South Dakota and 2) with previous growth recorded from the early stages of invasion (2009–2012) in these rivers. We collected silver carp in May and June of 2020–2022 using boat electrofishing and cast netting. We extracted lapilli otoliths for consensus aging from 99 and 82 silver carp from the Big Sioux and James rivers, respectively. We evaluated growth for each population using Bayesian von Bertalanffy models and compared posterior mean length at ages 2–5 to determine the probabilities of differences between rivers and with estimates from the introduction stage. Posterior estimated mean L∞ values were similar between the Big Sioux (714 mm) and James rivers (709 mm); however, the probability that the posterior mean K estimate was greater for silver carp in the James River (0.271) than the Big Sioux River (0.248) was >99.9%. Estimated mean lengths at age 2 were larger in the Big Sioux and James samples than during the introduction stage, but mean lengths at ages 3–5 were smaller. Changes in growth characteristics indicate that growth has slowed in the current establishment stage of invasion from the earlier introduction stage. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.116040 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.116040 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/116040/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/116040/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.117161 2024-02-07 aquaticinvasions

Invasive Amazon sailfin catfish in Bangladesh: wild distribution, environmental and perceived socio-economic consequences Hossain,Md Shakhawate Akmal,Surya Gentha Buřič,Milos Patoka,Jiří Pterygoplichthys fish biological invasion modelling climate matching Asia Aquatic Invasions 19(1): 121-136 Amazon sailfin catfish are native to Latin Arica (Siluriformes: Loricariidae: Pterygoplichthys) and are popular around the world as ornamental fish. It is well-documented that these species are highly successful invaders and very prone to forming new geographical ranges. However, once established, eradicating a new population is a very challenging task. In Bangladesh, species of the genus Pterygoplichthys are expected to spread widely and have a severe detrimental impact on ecosystem health, biodiversity and economics. Here we provide new information on the future probable establishment of non-native populations of these species in the wild using a climate-matching analysis and highlight their potential area of occurrence. The potential socio-economic consequences are also discussed, as are the public perception of these species and probable economic damages caused. Control of the import of similar species, their culture and intentional or unintentional release into open water is urgently required. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.117161 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.1.117161 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/117161/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/117161/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.2.117212 2024-05-13 aquaticinvasions

Environmental conditions influencing the early colonization stage of Ludwigia hexapetala , an aquatic plant recently invasive in Italy Pelella,Emanuele Mariani,Flaminia Questino,Beatrice Ceschin,Simona aquatic invasion autoecology biological pollution freshwater ecosystem invasive alien species non-native macrophyte water primrose Aquatic Invasions 19(2): 137-152 Freshwater ecosystems are among the most susceptible to biological invasions. The South American Ludwigia hexapetala is an aquatic plant that is becoming an increasing threat in many European waterbodies, recently including Italy. This study aimed to define the main parameters influencing the early colonization stage of L. hexapetala by overlapping the percentage cover of this species with environmental parameter data collected at 24 aquatic sites from six waterbodies in north-central Italy. At each site, chemical and physical characteristics of the water (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, nitrates, phosphates, ammonia, depth, transparency), grain size of the substrate and level of anthropogenic disturbance were evaluated. The results showed that although L. hexapetala prefers shallow, warm, alkaline, moderately rich in ions and nutrients (especially phosphates) and oxygen-poor waters, it can grow in a wide range of environmental conditions. Moreover, as a typical invasive alien species, it spreads opportunistically in disturbed, unstable sites. Thus, L. hexapetala can invade freshwater habitats with different environmental conditions and subjected to anthropogenic disturbance. However, the results suggest that water depth may be a limiting factor in the early colonization stage of this species, which does not seem to be able to colonise waters deeper than 1 m in investigated sites, while it has been observed in significantly deeper waters in other European countries with a longer invasion history. Detecting the environmental parameters that most influence the growth of L. hexapetala becomes crucial both to identify the sites most at-risk of invasion in which to initiate timely monitoring actions for the species, and to be able to develop better management and control actions for this alien species in sites that have already been invaded. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.2.117212 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.2.117212 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/117212/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/117212/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.2.124920 2024-05-13 aquaticinvasions

Effects of water temperature on growth of invasive Myriophyllum aquaticum species Wang,Nuoxi Luo,Chuyu Wu,Xiaodong Chen,Liang Ge,Xuguang Huang,Chen Lin,Xiaowen Zhu,Shunmei Temperature gradient submerged macrophytes high- and low-temperature stress invasion mechanisms Aquatic Invasions 19(2): 153-167 This study sought to investigate the invasive mechanism of Myriophyllum aquaticum by subjecting it to simulation experiments in varying water temperatures ranging from 0 °C to 30 °C. The results showed that water temperature considerably affected both the growth and reproduction of M. aquaticum. The optimal temperature range for the growth of M. aquaticum was 25‒30 °C. Although the growth of M. aquaticum was inhibited at temperatures between 0‒5 °C, this did not result in mortality. The stem nodes, branches, and diameter reached maximum values over a temperature range of 20‒25 °C. High-temperature stress at 30 °C led to a gradual decrease or disappearance of branches. Compared to the 0 °C, 5 °C, and 30 °C treatment groups, a temperature of 20 °C led to biomass accumulation and significantly higher values. M. aquaticum’s physiological activities were affected by temperature. Except for 10 °C and 15 °C, the catalase activity varied among different water temperatures. M. aquaticum catalase activity was maximal at 5 °C and minimal at 25 °C. Conversely, the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments was highest at 10 °C and 15 °C. The plant’s optimal temperature for growth was between 20 °C and 25 °C. When the temperature was <10 °C, M. aquaticum adapted to the water temperature’s potential damage. This plant has a notable ability to tolerate various temperatures. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.2.124920 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.2.124920 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/124920/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/124920/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.2.124566 2024-05-13 aquaticinvasions

Matching field-based ranges in brackish water gradients with experimentally derived salinity tolerances of Conrad’s false mussel (Mytilopsis leucophaeata cochleata) and zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) van der Gaag,Marinus van der Velde,Gerard Leuven,Rob S. E. W. co-existence dark false mussel densities distribution Dreissenidae North Sea canal salinity water temperature Aquatic Invasions 19(2): 169-190 The invasive alien false mussels Mytilopsis leucophaeata cochleata and Dreissena polymorpha (Dreissenidae) have established populations in the North Sea canal in the Netherlands that connects the harbours of Amsterdam with the North Sea. The favourable and unfavourable salinity ranges of both species were earlier studied in long-term outdoor mesocosm experiments. Their occurrence in salinity gradients in estuaries or canals connecting seaways to freshwater harbours provides information on their salinity tolerance under field conditions. By the combination of laboratory experiments and field data using the same source population a high predictability can be expected for establishment of the gradients facilitated by constructions. The reliability of experimentally derived salinity-tolerance limits for both dreissenid species was tested using data on their distribution in a salinity gradient of the littoral zone along the North Sea canal. The mussels used for the survival experiments in mesocosms were also collected from this canal. Favourable salinity ranges for adult survival in the mesocosms were 0.2 – 17.5 for M. leucophaeata cochleata and 0.2 – 6.0 for D. polymorpha. Unfavourable salinities were outside these ranges and led to high and fast mortality of these species. Mytilopsis leucophaeata cochleata was present over nearly the whole length of the North Sea canal with the highest densities close to the sea sluices where also the highest salinities and water temperatures were measured. Their densities in the canal decreased gradually at larger distances from the sea. Dreissena polymorpha co-exists with M. leucophaeata cochleata at the east end of the canal with low salinity due to the influence of freshwater of the river Rhine. The occurrence of D. polymorpha was restricted to a salinity below 4 and M. leucophaeata cochleata only occurred at a salinity above 1.5 (maximum value measured in the canal 9.2). Shorter salinity gradients with lower salinity ranges provided additional information on the co-existence of both species. Co-existence was observed at a salinity range of 1.5–3.3 (own data), 1.0–3.5 (Van Couwelaar and Van Dijk 1989), both in the North Sea canal, and 0.2–2.8, in the Canal through Voorne (Janssen and Janssen-Kruit 1967). These data correspond with studies of both species by Walton (1996) in the Hudson River (salinity range 0–3). Found salinity ranges in the North Sea canal for both species match with the tolerance results obtained by mesocosm experiments. A new invading dreissenid mussel Dreissena rostriformis bugensis and a mytilid Ischadium recurvum occur in the North Sea canal since 2006 and 2012, respectively. Competition between recent and earlier invaders is likely when salinity tolerances are similar. It has already been observed that D. rostriformis bugensis outcompetes D. polymorpha under freshwater conditions (Bij de Vaate et al. 2014; Matthews et al. 2014). Ischadium recurvum has the potential to colonize large parts of the canal and to be a strong competitor of M. leucophaeata cochleata (Goud et al. 2019). Since January 2022, the new ‘Zeesluis IJmuiden’ with the biggest locks in the world is in use, affecting the probability of population establishment of new introduced and invasive alien mussel species. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.2.124566 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.2.124566 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/124566/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/124566/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.2.119829 2024-05-13 aquaticinvasions

Investigating Calico Crayfish (Faxonius immunis Hagen, 1870) as a possible “sleeper” invasive species in northern Wisconsin, United States Sawyer,Elle Hartman,Jordan Szydlowski,Daniel Larson,Eric Barcoding behavior over-invasion Faxonius rusticus Rusty Crayfish serial invasion Aquatic Invasions 19(2): 191-209 “Sleeper” invaders are non-native populations that experience time-lags post-establishment before subsequent spread or negative impacts, challenging managers to differentiate harmless non-native species from invasive species. In lakes of northern Wisconsin, United States, Rusty Crayfish (Faxonius rusticus Girard, 1852) has dominated as an invasive species for decades, but this species has recently experienced population declines. Following these F. rusticus declines, we rediscovered in 2020 a population of non-native Calico Crayfish (Faxonius immunis Hagen, 1870) that had not been documented since the 1970s. Declining F. rusticus populations may create opportunities for F. immunis spread to other lakes and impacts as a sleeper invader. We conducted additional sampling in summer 2021 that suggests F. immunis remains isolated in only one lake within this watershed. We used mitochondrial DNA barcoding to confirm these crayfish were F. immunis and had not been misidentified as a congener. Next, we investigated whether biotic interactions with F. rusticus may have prevented F. immunis spread over the past several decades. We measured agonistic behaviors using F. immunis and F. rusticus pairs in the laboratory, and then modeled differences in aggression between species while controlling for size and reproductive form. We found that F. rusticus were consistently dominant over F. immunis, suggesting that competition with an established hyper-abundant invasive species may have restricted past spread by F. immunis. Managers and policy makers should consider whether precautionary actions against F. immunis are warranted while the population of this species remains small and localized, especially in the context of F. rusticus declines. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.2.119829 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.2.119829 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/119829/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/119829/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.2.121730 2024-05-13 aquaticinvasions

Distribution of invasive scud, Apocorophium lacustre (Vanhoffen, 1911) in the Illinois Waterway, USA: Do habitat and water quality variables influence spatial distribution and relative abundance? Henry,Trent Harris,Brandon Smith,Bradley Keller,Reuben Lamer,James invasive amphipods invertebrates Illinois River large rivers Mississippi River Basin Aquatic Invasions 19(2): 211-232 Apocorophium lacustre – a species of benthic amphipod native to American and European estuaries along the North Atlantic Ocean – has rapidly expanded outside of its native range and is now established in the Illinois, Upper Mississippi, and Ohio river systems, USA. A. lacustre is considered high risk for colonization and disruption of the Laurentian Great Lakes’ benthic communities. To further our understanding of factors influencing A. lacustre distribution and its threat to the Great Lakes, zoobenthic and habitat data were collected from colonization samplers (i.e., rock bags) deployed at 370 sites along the Illinois Waterway. A. lacustre was found in the lower six pools of the Illinois Waterway and was the most abundant amphipod collected in those pools. Our results parallel other studies in that A. lacustre was not observed upstream of Dresden Island Pool, but A. lacustre was found ~11 km farther upstream of any previous records. Generalized linear mixed effects modeling indicated that parameters pertaining to food availability, water quality, and impoundment influenced A. lacustre abundance. Model averaging identified five statistically significant variables: A. lacustre abundance was negatively associated with turbidity, fluorescent dissolved organic matter, and vegetation density and positively associated with temperature and downstream distance (i.e., closer to the next downstream dam). Our findings of what factors influence A. lacustre abundance should be of broad interest to risk assessment and invasion forecasting in other regions where A. lacustre have been or may be introduced. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.2.121730 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.2.121730 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/121730/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/121730/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.2.124660 2024-05-13 aquaticinvasions

Asian swamp eels (Synbranchidae, Monopterus) in Florida: distribution, spread, and range of hydrologic tolerance over twenty-seven years (1997–2023) Pintar,Matthew Strickland,Nicole Kline,Jeff Cook,Mark Dorn,Nathan Ecosystem restoration Everglades invasive fish invasion history Monopterus albus Synbranchiformes Aquatic Invasions 19(2): 233-258 Asian swamp eels (Monopterus albus/javanensis) were first reported as introduced to Florida waterbodies in 1997 near Tampa and Miami; a third population was recorded by 1999 in Homestead. Initial assessments, published soon after swamp eels in southern Florida were first recorded in wetlands beyond canals and ponds (in 2007), concluded there was little threat to Florida’s aquatic ecosystems. Long-term data now suggest they precipitated population crashes of crayfishes and small fishes in the eastern Everglades. We used records from continuous long-term monitoring programs, sporadic monitoring studies, and online databases to reconstruct swamp eel presence across Florida. Monitoring studies provided wetland hydrologic variables to assess limits for swamp eels. From 1997–2007, populations in southern Florida remained restricted to canals; initial spread from 2007–2017 across southern Everglades National Park proceeded slowly and the two populations covered ~1500 km2 of southern Florida. From 2017–2022, the rate of spread increased as they spread west and north (~5800 km2 range). Through 2014, the Tampa population occurred only along southern/eastern Tampa Bay (~60 km2) but has since spread south along the Gulf Coast, east into central Florida, and south along the Lake Wales Ridge (~11,000 km2). We found evidence of two potentially new introductions, in Palm Beach County and Orlando. There was no clear evidence of limitation of wetland drying on swamp eel occurrence in the Everglades; they were captured in marshes that dried for 1–5 months during the previous dry season, but short-hydroperiod wetlands may have slowed spread. In the Everglades, evidence suggests swamp eels may have been inadvertently spread into marshes from canals used to deliver water for flood control and hydrologic restoration. Swamp eels are currently spreading unchecked across Florida, and there should be great concern about continued spread in this region and their establishment and spread elsewhere. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.2.124660 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.2.124660 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/124660/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/124660/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.3.135377 2024-09-20 aquaticinvasions

Modeling the dispersal of the cryptogenic alga Chondria tumulosa (Rhodophyta, Ceramiales) in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Fumo,James Powell,Brian Kosaki,Randall Sherwood,Alison flotsam Hawai‘i marine debris marine protected areas phycology rafting tetraspores Aquatic Invasions 19(3): 259-273 The cryptogenic nuisance alga Chondria tumulosa was first observed in 2016 at Manawai (Pearl and Hermes Atoll) in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. It has since spread across the atoll, growing in thick mats and smothering benthic habitat. In September 2021 the species was observed at Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll), ~130 km to the northwest. Due to its growth habit and recent spread, considerable concern has been raised and management of the species may be warranted. We used publicly available oceanographic data and the Connectivity Modeling System software to assess how the potential for successful dispersal of C. tumulosa is affected by particle properties and oceanographic conditions. We found the likelihood of successful transit to be linked to particle density, oceanographic conditions at the time of release, and release location. Further modeling explicitly targeted the capacity of both reproductive tetraspores as well as drifting fragments to disperse. Model results indicated tetraspores of C. tumulosa are unlikely to survive the transit from Manawai to Kuaihelani, as none arrived at Kuaihelani above the depth limit of the species and those arriving below successfully settled at a rate of only 0.02%. In contrast, fragments modeled as rafting on marine flotsam such as macroalgae and marine debris settled at a rate of 3.85%. Rafting fragments also settled ~600 km further to the southeast (towards the Main Hawaiian Islands) than tetraspores. This study identified oceanographic conditions and particle properties likely to aid dispersal of C. tumulosa to Kuaihelani and suggests that fragments rafting on marine flotsam may accelerate its spread. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.3.135377 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.3.135377 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/135377/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/135377/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.3.134464 2024-09-20 aquaticinvasions

Effects of temperature and N:P ratio on the invasion success of the cyanobacterium Raphidiopsis raciborskii Meriggi,Carlotta Johnson,Richard Laugen,Ane Drakare,Stina invasive species competition semi-continuous culture Scenedesmus Planktothrix Microcystis Chlamydomonas Aquatic Invasions 19(3): 275-286 The tropical invasive freshwater cyanobacterium Raphidiopsis raciborskii, first recorded in Central Europe about two decades ago, is now a relatively widespread species, expanding its geographic range. Currently, however, there are no records of this species in Sweden. As a bloom-forming and toxin-producing species, future population growths of R. raciborskii could negatively affect local biodiversity and ecosystem services. Hence, there is an urgent need to understand the factors controlling its capability of establishment in Northern European lakes. We performed a laboratory experiment to study the competitive success of R. raciborskii when interacting with other phytoplankton from major taxonomic groups typically found in Scandinavian lakes (diatoms, green algae, and cyanobacteria). The experimental settings included three temperature conditions (17; 22; 26 °C) and three different nutrient conditions (N:P ratios 8:1; 16:1; 32:1). The experiment was performed in a semi-continuous culture setup to test the invasion success of R. raciborskii. Raphidiopsis raciborskii did not become the dominant species in any of the tested conditions; however, it was able to grow and maintain its biomass in all treatments, also in relatively low temperature (17 °C). Temperature played an important role in the phytoplankton community composition, especially for the cyanobacterial group. Raphidiopsis raciborskii was more successful than Planktothrix agardhii, but less dominant than Microcystis aeruginosa. Temperature is thus important in determining the potential survival and settlement of the invasive R. raciborskii in lakes. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.3.134464 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.3.134464 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/134464/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/134464/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.3.134082 2024-09-20 aquaticinvasions

Establishment and ecological integration of the New Zealand mud snail in Spirit Lake, Mount St. Helens, Washington State, USA Myers,Shaina Germeau,Hailey McCann,Meghan Cranston,Wyatt Crisafulli,Charles Fox-Dobbs,Kena Gawel,James rainbow trout Potamopyrgus antipodarum aquatic macrophyte stable isotope analysis Gyraulus deflectus Aquatic Invasions 19(3): 287-307 Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument was designated by the U.S. Congress in 1982 to conserve the landscape for natural regeneration, scientific research, education, and cultural resource preservation. However, this designation has not eliminated threats from the introduction of non-native species. The non-native New Zealand mud snail (NZMS), Potamopyrgus antipodarum, was first observed in 2016 along the SW shore of Spirit Lake at the foot of Mount St. Helens, despite the lake’s closure to public recreation and isolation from other known sites harboring NZMS. Our study mapped native and non-native snails on aquatic macrophytes in Spirit Lake, analyzed NZMS eDNA in Spirit Lake and surrounding waters, measured stable isotopes in snails and their food sources, and analyzed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) gut contents from a twenty-year survey to examine the patterns of spatial distribution, habitat occurrence, and resource use. Our results show that NZMS colonies were likely first established along the SW shore of Spirit Lake in 2015, and presently remain largely confined to the vegetated littoral zone along this same shoreline. The native snail species Gyraulus deflectus and NZMS co-occur on multiple macrophyte species, and δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C isotope data reveal they are consuming the same food sources, but no evidence was seen for competitive exclusion. The abundance and frequency of NZMS found in rainbow trout gut contents have increased since 2015 with a significant portion undigested. In addition, stable isotope analysis shows a negligible trophic tie between snails (both NZMS and G. deflectus) and rainbow trout, which may signal longer-term impacts on fish populations. Characterizing this invasion spatially and temporally elucidates the factors facilitating and hindering the spread of NZMS in a relatively young and dynamic subalpine lake ecosystem closed to public recreation, and may inform current and future management decisions. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.3.134082 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.3.134082 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/134082/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/134082/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.3.131793 2024-09-20 aquaticinvasions

Comparative population dynamics of zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) populations in two similar closely adjacent warm-water Texas reservoirs Locklin,Jason Moore,Josiah McMahon,Robert settlement cohorts shell growth rates spawning times temperature impacts veliger densities boom-bust Aquatic Invasions 19(3): 309-328 Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) population dynamics were recorded between 2 September 2019 and 26 September 2020 at marina sites in each of two adjacent central Texas water bodies, Belton (BL) and Stillhouse Hollow (SHL) Lakes infested in 2013 and 2016, respectively. Lake water temperatures were insignificantly different while dissolved oxygen, pH and Secchi Disk depths were slightly higher in SHL. Veliger densities in both populations peaked in late Fall 2019 with veligers becoming absent by January 2020. Veliger densities again peaked in May-August 2020. These fall and spring spawning periods resulted in the presence of fall and spring mussel settlement cohorts. Mussel densities on settlement plates were greater at SHL than BL. At both sites, Fall 2019 cohorts had a lifespan of approximately one year or less, experiencing mass mortality during peak water temperatures in late summer/early fall the year after initial cohort settlement. Shell growth rates of the Spring 2020 BL and SHL cohorts were 91.4 and 67.3 µm/day, over a 126 day growing period, respectively, falling within the range reported for mussel populations in other southwestern US water bodies. Rapid shell growth and maturation allowed initiation of spawning earlier than zebra mussel populations in cooler, higher latitudes. Rapid growth and early maturity allows southwestern US zebra mussel populations to rapidly attain peak densities after infestation followed by population declines as recorded in BL. That southwestern mussel populations rapidly attain post invasion peak densities allows little time for water using facilities to develop effective, environmentally acceptable means of protecting infrastructure from mussel fouling. Thus, plans to prevent/minimize mussel fouling should be made in advance of invasion. Similarly, water body managers should develop and implement plans to minimize invasion likelihood and for rapid response before invasion occurs. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.3.131793 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.3.131793 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/131793/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/131793/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.3.133295 2024-09-20 aquaticinvasions

Population characteristics of silver carp from the source of their North American introduction in the Lower Mississippi River Killgore,Kenneth Hoover,Jan Jeffrey Todd Slack,William Kirk,James Lewis,Bradley George,Steven Miranda,Leandro E. Latitudinal gradients recruitment mortality age growth mainstem channel oxbow lakes backwater Aquatic Invasions 19(3): 329-343 Silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, escaped into the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) over 50 years ago, established reproductive populations, and spread across much of the Mississippi River Basin. Demographic rates of silver carp are needed to inform decisions on control and management of this invasive species, but have not been published for the LMR. The purpose of this paper is to report silver carp age and growth estimates from fish collected in riverine (mainstem) and backwater (lake) habitats in the LMR during the period 2011–2019, to compare our results with populations from other geographic areas in the Upper Mississippi River drainage, and to evaluate latitudinal and habitat differences in demographic parameters. Silver carp gained weight with increasing length similarly throughout the lower and upper basin. However, annual growth rates were higher in the LMR compared to northern rivers including the Illinois, Wabash, Missouri, and Middle Mississippi rivers. In the LMR, regression analyses demonstrated that females were heavier in lakes than males or females in the mainstem and that females in lakes had the lowest instantaneous mortality (-0.186). Maximum age was 8 and 10 years for females and males, respectively. The largest male weighed 13.8 kg with a total length of 1022 mm, and was 7 years old. The largest female weighed 16.0 kg with a total length of 1034 mm TL, and was 7 years old. Rapid growth rates, larger sizes, and lower mortality in the LMR, in combination with limited commercial fishing, extensive river-floodplain connectivity, and vast amounts of spawning areas, ensure that LMR silver carp will continue to act as a source of fast-growing invasive individuals for other reaches and other rivers throughout the Mississippi River Basin. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.3.133295 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.3.133295 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/133295/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/133295/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.3.125642 2024-09-20 aquaticinvasions

Long-term evaluation of the impact of urbanization on native and non-native fish assemblages Pandit,Shubha Poesch,Mark Kolasa,Jurek Pandit,Laxmi Ruppert,Jonathan Enders,Eva Beta-diversity nestedness pattern fish community spatio-temporal variation temporal species composition vulnerability of assemblies non-resilience Aquatic Invasions 19(3): 345-360 Urbanization often leads to the homogenization of species composition in aquatic ecosystems, as it introduces disturbances that can destroy the habitats of unique endemic or native species while creating alternative habitats for species capable of adapting to these conditions. This study utilized a long-term dataset from 1971 to 2010, focusing on fish species presence within three watersheds of the Greater Toronto Area, Canada. The objective was to evaluate any changes in fish communities over time across three groups of species assemblages: native, non-native species, and a combining of all species. We considered key predictor variables for which data exist: catchment area, distance to a species pool source (Lake Ontario), and percentage of urban cover, to determine their impacts on species richness over time. Three hypotheses were tested: (1) the rate of change in species richness differs among the three groups; (2) urbanization promotes the spread and homogenization of non-native species distribution; and (3) native species assemblages exhibit high nestedness initially, decreasing over time as non-native species established and replaced native species. We used general linear models and the nestedness analysis to characterize matrices of species distributions of native and non-native fish assemblages among the catchments over time. Overall, the results indicate that nestedness temperatures (NTs) for native fish were lower compared to non-native fish assemblages. Over the four decades studied, native species richness declined with increasing urban cover, while non-native species richness increased and compensated for native losses. Furthermore, native species assemblages exhibited high nestedness at the beginning of the record period, which decreased over time as non-native species became established and replaced native species. This trend suggests that further changes in fish communities are probable. As native fish communities become patchier (not nested), this process may accelerate, potentially isolating communities and making them more prone to perturbations. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Review Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.3.125642 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.3.125642 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/125642/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/125642/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.135332 2024-12-10 aquaticinvasions

Differences in sensitivity of reproduction to water quality in parthenogenetic European invasive lineages of the New Zealand mud snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray, 1843) (Caenogastropoda, Tateidae) Sierra Lemus,Carmen María Schmitz Ornés,Angela Haase,Martin Clonal adaptation clonal evolution comparability experimental setup frozen niche variation reproducibility Aquatic Invasions 19(4): 361-371 The dependence of freshwater snails on the availability of ions through their ambient water varies widely across species and deficiencies may limit reproduction and other physiological functions. Nevertheless, in many studies on the New Zealand mud snail (NZMS) Potamopyrgus antipodarum, where reactions on components dissolved in the water are not the focus, the composition of the water the snails are kept in is not specified. We tested the sensitivity of reproduction to three types of artificial fresh water in three parthenogenetic lineages invasive to Europe. The three lineages descended each from a single mother collected in the same population in northern Germany. Reproduction was measured as the number of offspring sired within 12 weeks and varied across water types, however, lineages differed in their reaction norms. This indicates 1) that reproduction of the NZMS is indeed sensitive to the composition of the water and 2) that there is fitness relevant genetic variation which probably has arisen only within the 160–180 years the NZMS is present in Europe, i.e. we witness clonal evolution. For experiments, this means that the water composition should not be neglected and that potential genetic variation even among closely related clonal lineages has to be accounted for in order to ensure comparability and reproducibility. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.135332 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.135332 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/135332/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/135332/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.4.141952 2024-12-10 aquaticinvasions

Occurrence of the freshwater invasive snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum in Madeira Island (Portugal): distribution and impacts on benthic communities Dias,Marcos Pestana,João Machado,Ana Freshwater macroinvertebrates Invasion ecology Island ecosystems New Zealand mud snail Aquatic Invasions 19(4): 373-387 Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray, 1843) has been considered one of the most successful and widespread invasive freshwater molluscs worldwide. This snail has been present in mainland Portugal since the 1960s, but there is only scarce information regarding its presence in Madeira or Azores archipelagos. In this work, macroinvertebrate communities were sampled in six Madeira Island streams. P. antipodarum was found in all sampled sites, with abundances ranging from 3 to 3528 individuals per sampling area, indicating that the species arrived at Madeira recently and is now in a clear spreading phase. Our results indicate no relationship between the abundance of P. antipodarum and macroinvertebrates’ biodiversity indices. Nevertheless, the abundance of P. antipodarum was extremely high in some locations, representing more than 30% of all benthic invertebrates, which triggered alterations in the food web and community structure. The future impacts of this invasion are for now unpredictable, but given P. antipodarum parthenogenetic reproduction and fast spread, its presence can potentially affect Madeira Island’s aquatic ecosystems’ ecological status and services. These results can inform environmental agencies on the importance of monitoring the presence and spread of this invasive species and call for management strategies focused on early detection and control measures. Given the endemicity and insularity of Madeira macroinvertebrate communities, the spread of P. antipodarum should be limited to mitigate its ecological impacts and biodiversity loss. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.4.141952 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.4.141952 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/141952/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/141952/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.4.141420 2024-12-10 aquaticinvasions

Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) population dynamics and associated water quality impacts along their southern United States colonization front Bellinger,Brent Davis,Stephen Chlorophyll a invasive species nutrients reservoirs veligers water temperature Aquatic Invasions 19(4): 389-412 Zebra mussels represent one of the most pervasive and expensive non-native species to be introduced into new aquatic ecosystems, negatively impacting human structures and infrastructure and acting as ecosystem engineers. Zebra mussels have demonstrated thermal plasticity, enabling expansion to semi-tropical aquatic systems including Texas ca. 2009. In this study we described spawning and population dynamics and water quality changes after colonization of two central Texas reservoirs, Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake, ca. 2017. Veliger concentrations peaked in spring and early summer (Julian days 120–170) when water temperatures were between 20–25 °C. Adult population densities were initially highest nearest the busiest boat ramps and peaked in 2019–2020. Densities declined thereafter in the lower sections, but generally increased upriver in Lake Austin. However, the decline throughout Lady Bird Lake was three orders of magnitude from the peak. After colonization, chlorophyll a and suspended solid concentrations significantly declined, concomitant with significant changes in water total phosphorus concentrations; changes in different nitrogen-form concentrations were mixed. However, water quality changes were exacerbated by changing discharge volumes. Recent drought conditions and reduced discharges after 2021 have also resulted in elevated water temperatures, notably in Lady Bird Lake, that may have contributed to observed declines in adult zebra mussel densities nearshore. We hypothesize that other southern United States reservoirs should expect similar variations in population dynamics which will impact municipal, recreational, and water quality attributes. Preventing introductions remains essential as the species continues to rapidly spread to new regions. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.4.141420 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.4.141420 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/141420/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/141420/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.4.141425 2024-12-10 aquaticinvasions

The world-wide invader Deltamysis holmquistae expanded to the East Atlantic and Diamysis lagunaris to the North Sea (Crustacea, Mysida) Wittmann,Karl J. van Haaren,Ton Vlierboom,Rianna Introduced species keys to species re-naturalized habitats transoceanic expansion worldwide invasive species Aquatic Invasions 19(4): 413-429 In October 2023 and April 2024, ecological monitoring was undertaken in brackish waters of the North Sea Canal, a major shipping route linking the Port of Amsterdam to the North Sea. Amongst the macrobenthic samples, four endemic and three non-native mysid species were recorded, two of the latter for the first time in this locality. This concerns the now globally distributed Deltamysis holmquistae, and the Mediterranean Diamysis lagunaris. Based on the spatial context, these specimens are highly likely to have been introduced through human-mediated transport, with shipping providing the most obvious entry path into the North Sea Canal. Both species were found in fully artificial and in restored near-natural habitats, highlighting their versatility as invasive species. Pictorial descriptions and complete keys for both species are included in order to facilitate future assessments of potential range expansions. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.4.141425 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.4.141425 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/141425/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/141425/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.4.136691 2024-12-10 aquaticinvasions

Rapid growth of a locally-endemic tilapia may enable persistence in an African lake invaded by Nile tilapia Champneys,Toby Matiku,Patroba Saxon,Andrew Shechonge,Asilatu Blackwell,Tabitha Ngatunga,Benjamin Ioannou,Christos Genner,Martin Cichlid fish freshwater habitats interspecific competition ecological displacement growth Aquatic Invasions 19(4): 431-443 The introduction of non-native species can lead to competition with native species for key resources, driving the decline and extinction of endemic biodiversity. Recently, a newly discovered and evolutionarily distinct lineage of Korogwe tilapia (Oreochromis korogwe) was reported from small lakes in southern Tanzania. This small-bodied lineage is potentially threatened by introduced Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), an invasive large-bodied congeneric with a pan-tropical non-native distribution. Nile tilapia is known to dominate ecologically-similar native tilapia in competitive interactions, preventing access to resources such as food and shelter. We therefore hypothesised that competition between Nile tilapia and Korogwe tilapia could limit access to resources by the native species and hence reduce their growth rate, a key determinant of fitness. In this study, tilapia were collected from Lake Rutamba in two field seasons, and individuals were classified using microsatellite DNA genotypes as O. niloticus, O. korogwe or interspecific hybrids. Recent growth rate of these individuals was determined by measuring the distance between scale circuli. In contrast to expectations, we found that native O. korogwe overall had a faster growth rate than the invasive O. niloticus, with hybrids showing growth rates more similar to O. korogwe. We propose that in Lake Rutamba the persistence of O. korogwe could be partially enabled by a faster growth rate than the large-bodied invasive O. niloticus. Based on these results, we suggest that predictions of the effects of invasive species on native biodiversity may benefit from information on relative fitness, in addition to ecological niche overlap. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.4.136691 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.4.136691 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/136691/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/136691/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2024.19.4.136332 2024-12-10 aquaticinvasions

Gut evacuation rate as a tool for revealing feeding patterns in the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) under different feeding modes, food types and temperatures Szydłowska,Natalia Let,Marek Franta,Pavel Buřič,Milos Worischka,Susanne Richter,Luise Drozd,Bořek intestine clearance prey consumption predatory impact non-indigenous species prey availability Aquatic Invasions 19(4): 445-475 The round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) is a well-known invasive fish. Knowledge of its feeding habits and means of food processing is key in understanding its impact on aquatic food webs. The present study assessed the gut evacuation rate of round gobies feeding on three different types of prey occurring naturally in the diet of this species (small native freshwater clams, an invasive amphipod and chironomid larvae), at two different temperatures (14 and 20 °C) and under different food availability scenarios (continuous and non-continuous feeding). Gut evacuation rates varied significantly between the prey availability scenarios and, specifically, round gobies processed prey significantly faster in the continuous feeding mode when food was regularly available than when fed only once. The highest evacuation rates were detected for individuals fed with clams, in which complete gut clearance was observed within 16 h, compared to within 24 h and 36 h for chironomid larvae and amphipods, respectively. Our study shows that round gobies evacuate chironomid and mollusc prey most rapidly, which suggests that potentially the highest predatory pressure will be exerted on these prey types, assuming that all three prey species are locally present. The slower processing and digestion of amphipods may be due to their bulkier shape, which makes them more difficult to swallow. The relatively high evacuation efficiency of the round goby observed in the continuous feeding mode suggests overall increased pressure on food resources, thereby potentially reducing availability for other consumers and accelerating resource depletion, mainly driven by the high local densities of the round goby populations. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2024 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2024.19.4.136332 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.4.136332 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/136332/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/136332/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.154604 2025-04-15 aquaticinvasions

Current challenges and progress in global management, research, science and policy: Eleventh International Conference on Marine Bioinvasions (ICMB-XI) Fowler,Amy Bortolus,Alejandro Canning Clode,João Robinson-Smythe,Tammy Therriault,Thomas Collaboration ecological impacts management non-indigenous species Aquatic Invasions 20(1): 1-9 The Eleventh International Conference on Marine Bioinvasions (ICMB-XI), held May 15–19, 2023, in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, convened 213 attendees from 24 countries to discuss the challenges and advancements in managing marine non-indigenous species (NIS). The conference emphasized the urgent need for international collaboration to address the increasing threats posed by marine bioinvasions, which transcend geopolitical boundaries. Participants explored six key themes through 119 oral presentations, 37 posters, and six keynote speakers, providing a platform for researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals to exchange knowledge and strategies. Notably, ICMB-XI implemented the first Code of Conduct for the Society for the Study of Marine Bioinvasions, promoting inclusivity and ethical scientific discourse. Here, we review articles published in Aquatic Invasions and Management of Biological Invasions based on research presented at ICMB-XI. Studies highlighted novel findings on species settlement dynamics, NIS ecological impacts, and advancements in detection methods such as environmental DNA monitoring. Research also examined the role of climate change in facilitating NIS, the influence of biofouling on NIS establishment, and the expansion of NIS into new ecological niches. Beyond scientific discussions, ICMB-XI celebrated the intersection of art and science through a collaboration with artist April Flanders, whose work communicated the impacts of marine invasions to broader audiences. The conference also provided travel awards and student achievement prizes to support early-career scientists. As ICMB-XI concluded, participants reinforced the need for sustained, large-scale efforts to mitigate marine bioinvasions through enhanced research, policy integration, and cross-sector collaboration. The next ICMB, scheduled for 2025 in Madeira, Portugal, aims to continue advancing the field and fostering international partnerships in marine bioinvasion management. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Editorial text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.154604 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.154604 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/154604/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/154604/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.134650 2025-04-15 aquaticinvasions

The influence of biogenic habitat created by the non-indigenous bryozoan, Amathia verticillata, on the resident marine invertebrate community in San Diego, California Zavacki,Emily Reyns,Nathalie Crooks,Jeffrey Boudrias,Michel Ecosystem engineers structural complexity non-indigenous species nursery habitat habitat-producing bryozoans Aquatic Invasions 20(1): 11-32 The non-indigenous bryozoan, Amathia verticillata, has a worldwide distribution and commonly colonizes anthropogenic structures such as docks. Although widely recognized to house marine invertebrates within its structure, little is known regarding how the biogenic material produced by A. verticillata influences the marine community dynamics. The purpose of this study was to document the temporal patterns of A. verticillata and their associated marine invertebrate community in an urbanized estuary, Mission Bay, San Diego, CA, USA. We quantified A. verticillata percent cover and the abiotic conditions between July 2021–2022. The percent cover of A. verticillata varied temporally with temperature, with highest percent cover on docksides when temperatures were warmest. We also collected A. verticillata colonies of varying morphology and size to determine if abundance, density, and diversity of the marine invertebrate community associated with A. verticillata was influenced by its biogenic material and structural complexity. All invertebrates were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible. We identified 20 families, 19 genera, and 12 organisms to species, representing 2 non-indigenous species (NIS), 2 likely NIS, 3 cryptogenic, and 5 native species. The most abundant taxonomic groups were marine amphipods, isopods, tanaids, and polychaetes. Furthermore, we identified juvenile stages and females with eggs living within A. verticillata. The invertebrate community varied significantly by A. verticillata morphotype and structural complexity. In general, there was greater invertebrate diversity in the elongated versus compact morphotype, and the invertebrate counts and diversity increased with structural complexity. Collectively, our results suggest that A. verticillata functions as a habitat-producing ecosystem engineer that may be providing an important nursery habitat for diverse groups of marine invertebrates, including other NIS, on anthropogenic structures. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.134650 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.134650 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/134650/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/134650/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.145912 2025-04-15 aquaticinvasions

Temporal patterns of the introduced sponge Hymeniacidon perlevis (Montagu, 1814) in the Elkhorn Slough, California, USA Hoeke,Jackson Wasson,Kerstin Kahn,Amanda Porifera Elkhorn Slough estuary non-indigenous species recruitment phenology seasonal dynamics Aquatic Invasions 20(1): 33-51 Hymeniacidon perlevis is a cosmopolitan sponge with a seasonal life cycle. We investigated seasonal and interannual dynamics of H. perlevis in Elkhorn Slough estuary, where it is an introduced species, and explored correlations between sponge cover and environmental conditions. We used sponge cover to estimate the potential effects of H. perlevis on its environment, and how those could vary across its seasonal life cycle. We found that recruitment is currently restricted to the upper estuary and while it varies annually, the frequency and density of sponge recruits have generally increased from 2007 to 2023. A seasonal life cycle was confirmed for Elkhorn Slough populations, consistent with other temperate populations of the species, with sponge cover peaking in October and declining to a minimum from March to May. Time-lagged Spearman-ranked cross-correlations suggest that sponge cover correlated with warmer temperatures and lower dissolved oxygen at all sites, with a time lag of 2–4 months. Precipitation from severe winter storms in 2023 also coincided with declines in sponge cover. Over the course of two years, we estimated that H. perlevis biomass and potential for water filtration are greatest in fall—corresponding with peak cover, and weakest to nonexistent in the spring. Understanding the seasonal and interannual dynamics of the H. perlevis population in Elkhorn Slough can inform future approaches to manage or mitigate its ecological impacts. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.145912 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.145912 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/145912/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/145912/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.131343 2025-04-15 aquaticinvasions

Massive colonization by the solitary ascidian Microcosmus exasperatus Heller, 1878, on the sandy bottom of the Israeli littoral Golanski,Dan Bez Nachmias,Alona Kahn,Gal Fireman,Amir Hepner,Ori Shenkar,Noa Yahel,Gitai Tunicates marine bioinvasion suspension feeding soft bottom lessepsian invasion epifauna Aquatic Invasions 20(1): 53-68 The rapid increase in the arrival of tropical-origin species into the Levant region has dramatically changed local ecosystems. Non-indigenous species are known for their ability to utilize available ecological niches and in some events expand their non-native niche over time. Here, as an example of such expansion, we report on a massive colonization by the non-indigenous solitary ascidian, Microcosmus exasperatus (Heller, 1878), on soft bottoms along the Mediterranean coast of Israel. While this tropical-origin species is well-known for its ability to form dense aggregations on rocky substrates and artificial structures, only limited reports exist from soft-bottom habitats. In September 2022, a massive settlement of M. exasperatus was sighted on the sandy bottom (15–22 m depth) in front of Mikhmoret, Israel. M. exasperatus had settled on miniature “islets” of hard substrates, such as polychaete tubes, shells, or pebbles. By October, the population had reached a peak density, with a mean of 1.8±1.3 individuals m-2 (±95% confidence interval for the mean). Longshore visual surveys by towed divers revealed similar populations scattered along the central Israeli coast. Monthly compass surveys monitoring the population density, revealed a gradual population decline during late fall and winter, leading to a complete eradication in February 2023, probably due to a severe winter storm. No population was detectable throughout the spring but in August 2023 a few specimens were again detected on the sandy bottom, albeit at densities several orders of magnitude lower than the previous year. It is postulated that the ephemeral colonization of soft-bottom areas serves as “stepping stones” for the species’ dispersal into new habitats, potentially amplifying its invasive potential. Long-term monitoring across a more comprehensive depth range will reveal whether the observed massive colonization was a singular event or a recurring phenomenon that had previously remained unnoticed. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.131343 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.131343 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/131343/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/131343/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.143501 2025-04-15 aquaticinvasions

Fine-scale habitat factors linked to density but not distribution of an invasive estuarine predator Blumenthal,Jeffrey Chang,Andrew Cheng,Brian Hines,Ellen Nanus,Leora Zabin,Chela Atlantic oyster drill elevation habitat suitability modeling Olympia oyster Ostrea lurida oyster restoration substrate Urosalpinx cinerea Aquatic Invasions 20(1): 69-87 The Atlantic oyster drill Urosalpinx cinerea is an introduced predatory gastropod that has negatively impacted Olympia oyster restoration in multiple estuaries on the west coast of the United States. In San Francisco Bay, California, Atlantic oyster drills have a patchy spatial pattern of presence and absence and occur in a range of densities where they are present. This variable population distribution and a limited understanding of their local dispersal history poses a challenge to oyster restoration site selection. To address this dilemma, we evaluated five abiotic habitat factors as potential determinants of drill distribution. In 2017 and 2018, we compared quarterly drill abundance data to substrate composition, elevation, water temperature, salinity, and inundation at eight sites in Richardson Bay, a small embayment in San Francisco Bay. Using generalized linear mixed effects models, we found that amount of coarse substrate and elevation were positively and negatively, respectively, associated with drill population density at the four sites where drills were present. None of the five habitat factors, however, explained the absence of drills from the other four sites. These findings suggest ways for oyster restoration practitioners to select sites that optimize the chances oyster and drill co-existence or minimize the risk of drill invasion and point to the need for extreme caution against accidental introductions of drills to novel areas with suitable habitat. We recommend extensive drill population surveys in regions where Olympia oyster conservation is taking place coupled with additional fine-scale environmental data to better understand Atlantic oyster drill biogeography and to improve the odds of success of future Olympia oyster restoration work. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.143501 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.143501 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/143501/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/143501/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.136400 2025-04-15 aquaticinvasions

Not so Lessepsian migrants of the Spirobranchus tetraceros complex (Serpulidae, Annelida) Kupriyanova,Elena Daffe,Guillemine Pazoki,Samaneh Al-Kandari,Manal non-indigenous species introduced species complex cyt-b 18S Red Sea Persian (Arabian) Gulf cryptic invasion Aquatic Invasions 20(1): 89-100 Spirobranchus tetraceros (Schmarda, 1861), originally described from New South Wales, Australia, was later reported as a widely distributed succesful species of Indo-Pacific origin, including as Lessepsian migrant to the Mediterranean, until evidence has accumulated that the nominal taxon is a large complex of morphologically similar species. Specimens of Spirobranchus cf. tetraceros recently discovered in the Western Mediterranean (Valencia, Spain) morphologically resembled those of S. multicornis from the Red Sea rather than S. tetraceros sensu stricto from Australia. However, genetic studies proved that sequences of the introduced specimens match neither those of the S. tetraceros morphotype from warm temperate Australia (NSW) nor those of S. multicornis from the Red Sea. Subsequently, Kupriyanova et al. (2022) designated a neotype of S. tetraceros from New South Wales supported by DNA sequence data and demonstrated that several species of the S. tetraceros complex exist in Australia alone. This study examined several populations of the S. tetraceros complex world-wide in search of the source population for the Western Mediterranean invader and demonstrated its identity with S. arabicus widely distributed in the Persian (Arabian) Gulf. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.136400 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.136400 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/136400/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/136400/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.135792 2025-04-15 aquaticinvasions

Non-native marine and estuarine fouling bryozoans detected along North American Coasts: a twenty-year synthesis McCann,Linda Hitchcock,Natasha Gray Winston,Judith Chang,Andrew Carlton,James Ruiz,Gregory Cheilostomata Ctenostomata United States North America Canada introductions non-native biological invasions Aquatic Invasions 20(1): 101-125 Bryozoans are one of the most diverse and abundant marine invertebrates in coastal ecosystems and provide a valuable model for evaluating patterns of invasion. We present a synthesis of non-native bryozoans detected from standardized surveys across 35 coastal bays and estuaries, spanning coasts of the continental United States and Canada (26°N to 61°N), including additional records of non-native bryozoans reported in bioblitzes and literature for the same region. We document 48 non-native bryozoan species, considered to have established populations, with 42 species from our settlement plate surveys and 6 from the literature). Nine of these species were new records for the continental United States, and 20 species had new records for one or more localities. Combining our data from 20 years of settlement plate surveys with an extensive literature review, we show that more bryozoan introductions are known from the Pacific than Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America. Our data show declining non-native species richness of bryozoans with latitude on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, with several hot spots with elevated numbers of non-native species on the Pacific coast, similar to previously reported patterns for non-native tunicates. Finally, native source regions for these bryozoan introductions to the Atlantic and Gulf coasts are primarily from the Pacific and Indo-Pacific (respectively), whereas those introduced to the Pacific are primarily by Atlantic coast species. The dominance of Atlantic-sourced invasions to the Pacific coast in bryozoans contrasts with tunicate and sessile polychaete invasions, which are predominately from Pacific source regions. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/NSF/9417111 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.135792 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.135792 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/135792/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/135792/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.134814 2025-04-15 aquaticinvasions

Biogeographic patterns of community diversity associated with an introduced alga Lee,Timothy Fowler,Amy Krueger-Hadfield,Stacy Gabriel,Chloe Blakeslee,April Amphipod ecosystem engineer foundation species Gracilaria vermiculophylla Ilyanassa obsoleta invasion trematode Aquatic Invasions 20(1): 127-151 Non-native foundation species may alter physical environments and provide habitat, thereby impacting recipient communities. Along the US east coast, we assessed biogeographic patterns of free-living and parasitic community diversity associated with the non-native red alga Gracilaria vermiculophylla, which is characterized by fixed (with holdfast) or free-floating thalli depending on the availability of hard substratum. In summer 2019, we surveyed 17 sites across 3 biogeographic regions. We used a random quadrat design to collect G. vermiculophylla and associated mobile macroinvertebrates per site, and we took abiotic measurements. We also haphazardly collected 100 Ilyanassa obsoleta snails per site to assess trematode diversity. In the lab, macroinvertebrates were removed from thalli and identified to lowest taxonomic level, and snails were dissected to determine trematode prevalence and diversity. Biotic and abiotic variables were analyzed for the best sets of predictors for species richness, abundance, and diversity of macroinvertebrates and trematodes across bioregions. Gracilaria vermiculophylla biomass was used as an offset in free-living analyses. Across all our US east coast sites, we detected 10,113 free-living (mobile) macroinvertebrates across 39 taxa. Three Gammaridean amphipods (Gammarus mucronatus, Ampithoe longimana, and Gammarus lawrencianus) comprised >50% of all detected organisms. We found biogeographic region to be a key predictor of macroinvertebrate abundance and richness. Trematode prevalence and richness were best explained by G. vermiculophylla biomass, while biogeographic region best explained diversity. As a widespread invader, our study provides evidence for associations that have formed as this foundation species has become established outside its native range. Over time, the presence and spread of G. vermiculophylla could continue to impact macroinvertebrate structure and diversity, and future work should directly compare macroinvertebrate communities with G. vermiculophylla to other foundation species along coastlines it is now common. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.134814 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.134814 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/134814/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/134814/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.151447 2025-04-15 aquaticinvasions

Consumption pressure in estuaries peaks at intermediate salinities de Rivera,Catherine Larson,Amy Rubinoff,Benjamin Soto,Luna Wright,Seth Grosholz,Edwin Ruiz,Gregory Chang,Andrew Carcinus maenas consumer-stress relationship estuarine gradient invasion-stress hypothesis salinity gradient squidpops stress gradient Aquatic Invasions 20(1): 153-173 The nature and strength of biotic interactions change along stress gradients, but the importance of these interactions across estuarine gradients is under studied. Here, we examined how consumption varies across estuarine salinity gradients by deploying standardized baits (‘squidpops’) to measure consumption pressure along the gradients of five estuaries in Oregon, USA. The relationship between consumption and stress was nonlinear: consumption pressure peaked slightly at mid salinity and decreased at low salinity, especially as temperature increased, in the five estuaries studied. This finding does not support either of two existing models for consumption across gradients, including the Consumer Stress Model and a consumer extension of the Salinity Range Model. The pattern of consumption aligns better with the Prey Stress Model or the Invasion Stress Model, and the latter predicts that successful invasion by stress-tolerant predators extends consumption pressure further upstream along estuarine stress gradients than the Consumer Stress Model. Although these estuaries have been invaded by the crab Carcinus maenas, our catch data did not support the expected greater numbers of these invasive, stress-tolerant predators mid estuary or an expected relationship with native predators, as C. maenas was trapped in low abundance throughout each estuary. While our catch data did not directly support the Invasion Stress Model, we found that individual C. maenas ate more squid in lab experiments when at intermediate salinities than fresher salinities. Overall, our field and lab results suggest consumption peaked at mid estuary, at intermediate to high stress, in these temperate estuaries. The Invasion-Stress Model needs more testing to evaluate whether it, the Prey Stress Model, or a new model is best supported and can predict ecological impacts from changes in precipitation patterns and biological invasions, as well as other environmental stressors for estuarine food webs. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.151447 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.1.151447 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/151447/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/151447/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.2.153623 2025-05-15 aquaticinvasions

Caution against using genetic diversity alone to determine native ranges of aquatic species: the persistence of an old problem Davinack,Andrew Biogeographic fossil haplotype integrative invasion paradox phylogeography Aquatic Invasions 20(2): 175-179 The assumption that elevated genetic diversity in a population directly correlates with its native range is a common but flawed approach in ecological studies. This practice is based on the belief that native populations, having been exposed to local evolutionary pressures over long periods, should exhibit higher genetic diversity, while introduced populations experience founder effects or bottlenecks that reduce genetic variation. However, multiple introductions and genetic admixture in non-native regions can artificially inflate genetic diversity, challenging the assumption that regions with high genetic diversity are the native ranges. This issue, which has been recognized for nearly two decades, remains prevalent in the literature despite strong evidence to the contrary. Studies on a variety of marine invertebrates demonstrate how introduced populations may exceed native ones in genetic diversity. In contrast, bottlenecks in native populations due to environmental stressors can mask the true genetic history of species. This letter argues for an integrative approach when determining native ranges, combining genetic data with historical, ecological and biogeographical analyses. This broader framework helps avoid misinterpretations of genetic diversity, which could lead to inaccurate conclusions about species’ native ranges and misinform conservation and management strategies. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Letter To The Editor text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.2.153623 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.2.153623 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/153623/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/153623/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.2.147751 2025-05-15 aquaticinvasions

Non-native marine sessile benthic species from the coastal upwelling ecosystem of Arraial do Cabo, Brazil Vieira Granthom Costa,Luciana Vicente Resende de Messano,Luciana Altvater,Luciana Oliveira,Paula Coutinho,Ricardo Biofouling exotic species invasive species marine bioinvasion southeastern Brazilian coast southwestern Atlantic Ocean Aquatic Invasions 20(2): 181-198 Marine bioinvasions are human-mediated events that have modified landscapes and altered the composition and structure of native communities. Arraial do Cabo is an Extractive Marine Protected Area located on the Southeastern Brazilian Coast with unique environmental features due to the influence of a coastal upwelling phenomenon. The presence of a small port complex probably facilitated the introduction of non-native species (NNS). This study compiled a list of NNS from Arraial do Cabo based on published and unpublished studies. Our findings compiled 45 non-native benthic species belonging to eight taxonomic groups: Rhodophyta (3); Porifera: Calcarea (3); Anthozoa (4); Serpulidae (2); Mollusca: Bivalvia (5) and Gastropoda (2); Cirripedia (4); Bryozoa (6) and Ascidiacea (16). Three of which occurred exclusively in Arraial do Cabo – Didemnum sp. carpet, Thylaeodus sp., and Tubastraea sp. – and 13 were re-examined and are now categorized as NNS. Since the distribution is based on environmental conditions of water, forty-four NNS were found in warmer waters and only one was exclusively recorded in sites exposed to the cold waters – the red algae Pyropia suborbiculata. Based on those results, we updated the list of NNS on the Brazilian coast from 77 to 99 benthic sessile NNS. Our results also provide a tool for a connected environmental network for private and public sectors in order to mitigate impacts in a high-value conservation area that can be considered a relevant NNS hotspot of the southeastern Brazilian coast. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.2.147751 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.2.147751 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/147751/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/147751/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.2.154614 2025-05-15 aquaticinvasions

The Chesapeake blue crab, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896: new finding, origin, and further spread in the Ukrainian part of the Black Sea Kvach,Yuriy Gabrielczak,Halyna Lepekha,Anastasiia Son,Mikhail Khutornoi,Serhii Callinectes sapidus cox1 DNA-barcoding egg-bearing female non-indigenous decapod North-Western Black Sea Aquatic Invasions 20(2): 199-214 Biological invasions pose a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems, and the spread of uncontrolled non-indigenous species can have detrimental effects on biodiversity, ecosystem processes, and economic activities. The Chesapeake blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, native to the western Atlantic Ocean, is non-indigenous in the Black Sea region. This study presents novel findings on its presence and breeding in the Black Sea, particularly in North-Western part within the territorial confines of Ukraine. The study provides evidence of successful reproduction by a female blue crab with eggs in this non-native habitat, i.e. off the coast of Ukraine. Furthermore, molecular DNA barcoding analysis revealed the Ukrainian crab to be of a haplotype found in Italy and the United States, indicating potential connectivity between the Black Sea population and other established populations. Additionally, other haplotypes were detected in the Black Sea region, suggesting the possibility of multiple introductions and admixture between non-indigenous populations of different origins. The successful establishment and spread of C. sapidus in the Black Sea region may be attributed to its adaptability to a wide range of environmental conditions and the lack of natural predators or competitors in the invaded regions. This crab is commercialized in the USA, which may have implications for fisheries and aquaculture activities in Ukraine. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.2.154614 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.2.154614 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/154614/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/154614/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.2.153557 2025-05-15 aquaticinvasions

Non-native aquatic species in the Yellow River Basin, China Xiong,Wen Zhang,Wei Deng,Zhen Bowler,Peter Chen,Kang Wang,Baoqiang Biodiversity conservation Biological invasions Ecological and economic impacts Sustainability Aquatic Invasions 20(2): 215-229 The Yellow River is the second largest river in China and it supports a rich biodiversity and numerous endemic fish species (Atrilinea macrolepis, Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis, and Hucho taimen). It is one of China’s most important freshwater aquaculture and mariculture regions, and many non-native species have been introduced into the region. This study provided the Yellow River Basin’s first and current list of non-native aquatic species including a total of 112 species comprised of 59 fishes, 27 aquatic plants, 21 Mollusca, three reptiles, one crustacean and one amphibian. The primary introduction pathway is aquaculture (69 species), followed by the aquarium and ornamental trade (30 species), forage (four species), unintentional introductions (four species), ecological restoration (two species), religious releases (two species), and one species for biocontrol. Asia is the primary geographic origin of non-native species (39 species), followed by North America (33 species), South America (16 species), Europe (10 species), Africa (nine species) and Oceania (five species). Many non-native species have become important species in local aquaculture, the aquarium and ornamental trade or for other human uses. Many non-native species have caused significant negative economic, ecological and societal impacts. More research, field investigations and new guiding policies should be applied for the effective control and management of non-native species in the Yellow River Basin. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.2.153557 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.2.153557 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/153557/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/153557/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.2.150239 2025-05-15 aquaticinvasions

Size-dependent desiccation tolerance in adult and juvenile introduced freshwater Japanese mystery snails (Cipangopaludina japonica, previously Heterogen japonica) Lewis,Nicholas Goodnight,Sarah Hall-Stratton,Daya Fowler,Amy Desiccation stress management mortality invasive shell length Viviparidae Aquatic Invasions 20(2): 231-249 Freshwater Japanese mystery snails (Cipangopaludina japonica, previously Heterogen japonica) were introduced to North America from Asia in the early 1900s and have colonized many lake and river systems across the United States (US). Tolerance to environmental stressors, such as desiccation, plays a large role in species’ invasion potential and persistence in novel environments. To characterize the desiccation tolerance of C. japonica snails, adults and juveniles from three eastern US populations were exposed to air for 13.5 weeks (adults, n = 650) or 48 hours (juveniles, n = 849) and their mortality assessed over time. Over 50% of adult snails from each population exposed to desiccation survived over 10 weeks of constant air exposure, while survival ranged from 10 to 64% at the end of the exposure experiment (13.5 weeks), depending on population, indicating exceedingly high resistance to desiccation mortality in adults of this species. In contrast, juvenile snails were much more vulnerable to desiccation, with over 70% mortality at just 24 hours of drying and only a single individual surviving 48 hours of desiccation stress. We found that the interaction between snail shell length and time affected survival for both adults and juveniles, where larger body sizes were associated with increased probability of survival as time of exposure increased (p < 0.001 for both juveniles and adults). Based on these data, juveniles cannot survive long-term air exposure, but the high desiccation tolerance of adults may facilitate survival and population persistence in stressful environments and allow for increased dispersal between water bodies. Therefore, both commercial and recreational users of water bodies containing introduced C. japonica should be aware of the risk of unintentional dispersal between water bodies via contaminated gear and/or boats, even if those materials are exposed to air for a significant amount of time. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.2.150239 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.2.150239 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/150239/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/150239/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.2.152871 2025-05-15 aquaticinvasions

Introduced Placobdella parasitica in the lower Rogue River, Oregon: origin story Phillips,Anna Reilly,Jason Ashton,Don J. Richardson,Dennis Sei,Makiri Moser,William Biological invasion Glossiphoniiidae haplotype invasive leech non-native Northwestern Pond Turtle source population Aquatic Invasions 20(2): 251-272 The Common North American Turtle Leech, Placobdella parasitica, was reported in 2023 using the Northwestern Pond Turtle, Actinemys (Emys) marmorata, as a host in the Lower Rogue River, southwestern Oregon, USA. Molecular analysis and haplotype networks based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequence revealed that this introduced population has very low haplotype diversity and is likely the result of a single introduction of a gravid adult, an adult brooding eggs or hatchlings, or a small number of related individuals. While we determined that the precise source population was not represented in our sampling, there was strong similarity between the representatives from Oregon and those from near the Arkansas-Missouri border. Molecular evidence also supports this as a recent introduction, likely via human activity, and potential pathways of introduction are considered. Our results agreed with a previous study of morphological and molecular data of P. parasitica samples from throughout its native range in North America that found the species to be widely distributed, morphologically conservative, and molecularly variable. Using COI sequence data with Bayesian Inference, we evaluated species cohesiveness using species delimitation analyses (ABGD, mPTP, bPTP, and GMYC) that revealed 13 species entities that were clustered by geographic region. Identifying the source population and possible invasion pathways of this introduced population and assessing the dispersal capabilities of P. parasitica could slow and prevent further range expansion in the western USA. Introduced P. parasitica has not been recognized as a threat to the health of the Northwestern Pond Turtle or the Rogue River ecosystem so its presence has not been systematically monitored, but any introduced parasite is concerning given that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed this turtle species for Threatened status under the Endangered Species Act. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.2.152871 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.2.152871 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/152871/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/152871/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.156675 2025-09-03 aquaticinvasions

Two invaders, one reservoir: Hydrilla shapes the distribution of zebra mussels and may facilitate their growth Lorkovic,Emily Martina,Jason McGarrity,Monica Schwalb,Astrid N. Invader facilitation invasional meltdown hypothesis invasive species distribution plant-mussel interactions reservoir ecology Aquatic Invasions 20(3): 273-290 Aquatic invasive species can alter ecosystem processes, detrimentally affect native species, and facilitate the invasion of other species. One infamous aquatic invader, the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), is known to cause declines in phytoplankton through their filtering activity and facilitate the subsequent growth of macrophytes by increasing water clarity. In turn, submerged macrophytes may provide substrate for settlement of zebra mussels. The goal of this study was to examine variation in the distribution of zebra mussels and hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata subsp. verticillata) in relation to sediment composition, each other (including potential facilitation), and with season (summer vs. fall) in a subtropical reservoir. Surveys of zebra mussels and hydrilla showed that zebra mussel densities tended to be higher in rocky habitats where they were found on hydrilla and rocks (gravel and cobble), compared to muddy habitats where they were found only on hydrilla. Within the rocky habitat, zebra mussels attached to hydrilla had significantly higher densities and a smaller size than those attached to rocks. However, spring populations may be largely transient because only a small fraction of zebra mussels remained on hydrilla in early fall, almost exclusively representing a new settlement cohort based on their size distribution. Nevertheless, hydrilla may directly facilitate zebra mussel dispersal, especially in spring, as mussels attached to plant fragments can be transported downstream by currents or by human activities, such as entanglement in boat propellers and trailers. Laboratory experiments did not detect any significant impact of zebra mussels on the growth, biomass, or nutrient content of hydrilla. However, zebra mussel biomass was higher when hydrilla was present, suggesting that hydrilla may facilitate zebra mussel growth, although the difference was only statistically significant at low hydrilla densities. This study illustrates the complexities of interactions between multiple introduced species which can lead to facilitation of invasion of aquatic ecosystems. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.156675 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.156675 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/156675/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/156675/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.162564 2025-09-03 aquaticinvasions

The effect of brackish water on the movement patterns of non-native armoured catfish (Loricariidae) Pavlov,Efim Dien,Tran Duc Ganzha,Ekaterina Fish spread locomotor activity non-native fish Pterygoplichthys spp. salinity gradient water salinity Aquatic Invasions 20(3): 371-390 Non-native suckermouth armoured catfish Pterygoplichthys spp. have spread extensively across many river systems in Vietnam. It is possible that their expanded distribution occurred through the brackish waters of estuaries and coastal zones, facilitating movement from one river system to another. It has been previously hypothesized that, for successful dispersal through brackish water, armoured catfish can tolerate changes in water salinity and are capable of avoiding high salinity levels that threaten their survival. In this study, we experimentally estimated the movements and the directions of juvenile and adult wild loricariids in fresh and brackish water. Our results showed that juveniles exhibit a circadian rhythm of locomotor activity similar to that of adults. However, juveniles display a more pronounced reaction to increasing water salinity ‒ at 5 PSU ‒ while adults respond at 15 PSU. This likely explains the absence of juveniles in natural brackish water environments and their reduced potential to spread through brackish waters compared to adults. Adult loricariids are likely capable of recognizing and avoiding high-salinity zones (>10 PSU) by increasing locomotor activity, predominantly directed toward the surface. Their ability to grasp air helps maintain positive buoyancy, allowing them to remain in the surface layer of freshwater over extended periods of time. Variability in salinity tolerance among adults (ranging from 2 to 16 hours in 15 PSU) may enable some individuals to be more successful in dispersing through estuaries and along coastlines. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.162564 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.162564 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/162564/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/162564/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.160924 2025-09-03 aquaticinvasions

Plasticity and rooting behaviour of Pontederia crassipes under vernal water level rise: Implications for biological invasion and management Huang,Xiaolong Wang,Heyun Li,Songyang Xu,Leyang Wu,Zhaoshi He,Hu Li,Kuanyi Clonal propagation invasive species management freshwater ecosystems global climate change root Architecture vernal water rise Aquatic Invasions 20(3): 291-307 As global warming continues, increasing minimum winter temperatures may no longer limit the northward expansion of invasive species, particularly those from tropical zones. A mesocosm experiment with a chronosequence approach (space-for-time trade-off) was used to examine the effects of water level variation on the traits of the invasive aquatic plant water hyacinth [Pontederia crassipes (formerly Eichhornia crassipes)] collected from freezing, chilling and warm overwintering locations in China. We hypothesized that the phenotypic plasticity of the plant, particularly its ability to adjust its root morphology and topology in response to vernal water level rise, enhances its capacity to invade freshwater ecosystems. The results revealed significant plasticity in the response of the plants to water level, with plant traits such as total biomass, diaspore number, leaf area, specific leaf area, root length, and photosynthetic efficiency significantly increasing under a 10-cm water level, which can be regarded as a moderate overwintering water level. However, the plants from the warm location did not perform better than did those from the freezing or chilling locations, possibly because the harsh winter conditions reduced plant biomass but did not negatively affect the plants at the gene level. These findings highlight phenotypic plasticity in rooting behavior, which enables plant survival and growth during overwintering in the littoral zone, allowing P. crassipes to withstand low temperatures and to rapidly proliferate during the vernal water rise period. This study highlights the importance of early detection and management strategies to control the spread of P. crassipes, particularly given the trends in global climate change, which may facilitate its northward expansion. The use of P. crassipes as a model plant is recommended for studying the responses of invasive aquatic plants to global change in freshwater ecosystems. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.160924 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.160924 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/160924/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/160924/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.153638 2025-09-03 aquaticinvasions

Potential North American ranges of the invasive crayfishes Faxonius rusticus (rusty crayfish) and Procambarus clarkii (red swamp crayfish) under current and future climate projections Cranberg,Carter Keller,Reuben Milanovich,Joseph Biological invasions Freshwater MaxEnt North America species distribution models Aquatic Invasions 20(3): 309-333 Modeling current and future distributions of aquatic invasive species is an important approach for mitigating and preventing invasions in freshwater ecosystems. Two invasive crayfish species of concern in North America are Procambarus clarkii and Faxonius rusticus, which each pose significant biological and economic threats. In this study, we used MaxEnt to model current and future (2050 and 2070) distributions for both species under two climate change scenarios. Our present-day models highlight areas in North America where both species are being under-sampled and likely to thrive, while our future models reveal changes in habitable regions. The future models for P. clarkii reveal general expansion (up to 66.38%) in potential habitat, while models for F. rusticus reveal general contraction (down to -13.62%); however, all future models show northern shifts in potential habitat from the present-day models. Variables related to temperature played the largest role in habitat predictability, underscoring the relationship between climate change and new aquatic invasions. Understanding how different climate change scenarios can influence habitat availability for these two crayfish species can help in targeting management efforts for current populations and preventing future spread. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.153638 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.153638 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/153638/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/153638/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.152950 2025-09-03 aquaticinvasions

Round goby population differentiation across river barriers in Central Europe McCallum,Erin Sefc,Kristina Brodin,Tomas Burkhardt-Holm,Patricia Bussmann-Charran,Karen Florin,Ann-Britt Geist,Juergen Janáč,Michal Jurajda,Pavel Martin,Jake Pander,Joachim Bose,Aneesh Aquatic habitat invasion dispersal genetic differentiation hydropower dam invasive species Neogobius melanostomus river connectivity Aquatic Invasions 20(3): 355-370 River barriers such as hydropower dams and weirs can negatively affect river ecosystems by disrupting connectivity and reducing biodiversity. However, such barriers could also limit the spread of invasive species. Here, we used a spatial population genetics approach to test whether river barriers act as a hindrance to gene flow in the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus Pallas, 1814). We sampled gobies from four different rivers across their invasive range in Central Europe (the Danube, Dyje, Morava, and Rhine rivers), with locations on either side of eight major river barriers. Using microsatellite genotyping, we found that round goby populations were differentiated with increasing number of river barriers and with increasing distance between sampling sites, depending on the river system in focus. We found significant population differentiation across three individual barriers, but no clear indication that this was related to barrier type as barriers were highly diverse. We also found reduced genetic diversity in populations that were more recently established. Our findings suggest that successive river barriers can sometimes slow the spread of round goby. Further research on the features of barriers that hinder round goby movement will help to design barrier passage solutions that will both limit spread of this invasive species and maintain connectivity for the native fauna. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.152950 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.152950 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/152950/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/152950/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.153547 2025-09-03 aquaticinvasions

Environmental conditions can affect the spatiotemporal variation of invasive crayfish abundance in agricultural marshlands Mauchamp,André Bonis,Anne Crabot,Julie Bergerot,Benjamin Gore,Olivier Paillisson,Jean-Marc Ditch network length-frequency data riparian vegetation seasonally flooded marshland size classes time-series water regime Aquatic Invasions 20(3): 335-353 Understanding the long-term trends of biological invasions and their drivers is a pivotal issue. However, it is challenging because collecting presence/abundance data of invasive species as well as environmental/biotic factors over a period of years is time-consuming and therefore such data is scarce compared to short-term studies. Here, we investigated whether environmental and biotic factors in highly regulated eutrophic marshlands (water regime, physico-chemistry, habitat features, and predatory fish biomass) successfully accounted for spatiotemporal trends in abundance of small and large red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) in drainage ditches over seven consecutive years. For this, we used length-frequency data collected during the annual peak in crayfish activity. We also explored whether variation in crayfish abundance over time was due to density-dependent effects (temporal autocorrelation). We found large variation in crayfish abundance expressed in capture per unit effort (CPUE) between ditches and for different years (by a factor of 10 and 6 for small and large individuals) but with no specific trend over time. No density-dependent effect was found in any of the ditches. While crayfish CPUE was poorly related to the water regime (in particular dryness intensity of ditches for small crayfish), it was favoured by densely vegetated banks and negatively linked to the density of surrounding ditches for the two life stages. No relationship was detected with predatory fish biomass or any of the other environmental factors studied. Controlling crayfish abundance by managing environmental conditions seems possible in some cases, but likely costly for other components of biodiversity. Trapping could be a possible strategy when populations dropped to low densities in places. Finally, further studies are needed in ecosystems covering a wider range of environmental conditions to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the long-term trend of the species. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.153547 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.153547 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/153547/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/153547/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.161320 2025-09-03 aquaticinvasions

Phenotypic plasticity in life-history characteristics of the invasive redbelly tilapia (Coptodon zillii) in Shuikou Reservoir, Minjiang River, China Tang,Shoujie Xing,Ying Geletu,Temesgen Tola Zhao,Jinliang Age structure fecundity growth traits invasion reproductive strategies Aquatic Invasions 20(3): 391-410 In recent decades, the redbelly tilapia (Coptodon zillii) has become one of the most serious invasive alien fish species worldwide. The successful invasion of this fish may largely depend on the plasticity of its life-history traits. In order to explore the life-history traits of the invasive population of C. zillii, we chose Shuikou Reservoir of Minjiang River, China, as a typical invasive habitat, and 1,041 specimens were collected monthly from March 2023 to February 2024. Life-history traits were systematically investigated. The results showed that the entire population consists of individuals from age 1 to age 6, with the highest percentage (95.10%) of younger individuals at 1–2 years old. The sex ratio of males to females was 1.05:1. The equation of the length-weight relationship was W = 0.048*L2.938, and the parameters of von Bertalanffy growth equation were L∞= 32.937 cm, W∞= 1381.010 g, k = 0.131, and t0 = -2.056. The breeding season ranged from March to November, and the minimum sexually mature standard lengths of females and males were 8.7 and 9.0 cm, respectively. Mean absolute fecundity was 3854.38±254.43 eggs, while mean relative fecundity to standard length and body weight were 301.95±16.94 eggs/cm and 60.44±3.56 eggs/g, respectively. These results indicated that the population of C. zillii in Shuikou Reservoir presented characteristics such as a high proportion of young individuals, low growth rate, long spawning season, high fecundity, and smaller size at first maturity compared with the native and other invasive populations. Both opportunistic and equilibrium life-history strategies might have contributed to their successful invasion, and there is a potential risk of further population expansion. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.161320 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.3.161320 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/161320/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/161320/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.172098 2025-11-12 aquaticinvasions

Emergence of an invasive ascidian in Canary Islands (Eastern Atlantic): Tracking the arrival and spread of Cnemidocarpa irene Turon,Xavier SOLA,MARC Moro,Leopoldo Hernández,José Carlos Biological invasion citizen science DNA barcoding taxonomy tunicate Aquatic Invasions 20(4): 411-425 This study documents the first occurrence and rapid expansion of the solitary ascidian Cnemidocarpa irene in natural marine habitats of Tenerife (Canary Islands). Native to the Indo-Pacific, C. irene had previously been introduced to the Caribbean, Brazil, and Cape Verde. It was first observed in Tenerife in 2020, though retrospective records through citizen science tools date its presence back to 2018. A total of 74 sightings along the island’s coasts were reported between 2018 and 2024, when it reached densities of ca. 2 individuals/aggregates per square metre in the initial introduction area. Thus, the species is undergoing a clear proliferation and a spatial expansion. Morphological and genetic analyses confirmed the identity of C. irene and its phylogenetic placement, closely related to other Cnemidocarpa and related genera such as Asterocarpa. This species shows concerning invasive characteristics, such as a fast expansion, abundance in natural habitats, and aggregative behaviour, suggesting potential threats to native biota. Due to its limited natural dispersal capacity, the introduction of C. irene to Tenerife is attributed to anthropogenic vectors, particularly oil platforms arriving at major Canary Island ports. The proximity of the initial records to port areas supports this hypothesis. Given the potential species’ ecological risks, the authors recommend close monitoring, manual removal where feasible, and strengthened involvement of citizen science. This case highlights the vulnerability of oceanic islands to marine biological invasions and the importance of ports and marinas as critical entry points, underscoring the need for proactive surveillance and early intervention strategies. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.172098 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.172098 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/172098/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/172098/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.166447 2025-11-12 aquaticinvasions

The ongoing spread of the Asian date mussel (Arcuatula senhousia) within the French Atlantic coast: colonisation dynamics and associated drivers in a historically invaded ecosystem (Arcachon Bay) Coignard,Salomé Fouet,Marie Blanchet,Hugues Massé,Cécile Caill-Milly,Nathalie Sanchez,Florence Lissardy,Muriel Ganthy,Florian Bernard,Guillaume Environmental drivers intertidal flats management non-indigenous species Species Distribution Modelling Aquatic Invasions 20(4): 427-450 Arcuatula senhousia is a non-indigenous species first observed in Arcachon Bay in 2002. At that time, the species’ distribution was restricted to the northern part of this coastal lagoon. During the following 7–8 years, the species also started to colonise its south-eastern parts. Then, two surveys conducted in 2018 and 2021 showed that the species was observed over most of the investigated tidal flats within the lagoon. Between those two periods, there was a threefold increase in both frequencies of occurrence and average densities. The highest average densities and frequencies were observed in areas colonised in 2002. It suggests that this area is either the main area of introduction/settlement for the species or the area where it could find the most suitable ecological conditions. However, the use of Species Distribution Modelling showed that, considering habitat features, most of the intertidal flats in Arcachon Bay were a highly suitable habitat for A. senhousia. Further colonisation of the lagoon during the coming years appears very likely. The study of its habitat in this area suggested that the presence of meadows favoured the settlement of A. senhousia individuals. Furthermore, lower bottom current velocity and the erosion potential it induces seemed to be the principal environmental factors driving the distribution pattern of this species within the bay. However, other factors that could regulate the spread of A. senhousia must be considered. Understanding the dynamics of A. senhousia colonisation and identifying its drivers aimed to characterise possible areas to be colonised by this species. This is a crucial point in determining how to manage its distribution and assess the risk of spreading within other ecosystems. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.166447 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.166447 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/166447/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/166447/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.175069 2025-11-12 aquaticinvasions

Experimental evidence of internal transport of invasive apple snail eggs by waterbirds Zhao,Yang Zhang,Qichen Green,Andy J. Tang,Sixian Jiang,Xiaodong Dispersal biological invasion apple snail waterbirds endozoochory Aquatic Invasions 20(4): 451-460 The potential role of waterbirds in the dispersal of invasive apple snail Pomacea canaliculata was evaluated by feeding their eggs to mallards Anas platyrhynchos and quantifying the recovery of intact and viable eggs in their faeces and regurgitations. A total of 30,400 eggs were ingested by eight male mallards in 19 feeding trials. Endozoochory potential was detected in 14 trials, in which a total of 46 intact eggs were recovered from mallard faeces, and 684 intact eggs were regurgitated. Most intact snail eggs in faeces were egested 2–6 hours after feeding (72%), whereas 81% of those regurgitated were egested less than 1 hour after feeding. Two snail eggs from faeces and 74 eggs from regurgitations were successfully hatched (jointly representing 0.25% of ingested eggs). These data suggest that apple snail eggs can survive gut passage by waterbirds, and long-distance endozoochory events may contribute to the spread of the snail in the introduced range. In addition, short-distance dispersal is crucial and should not be overlooked as a means to sustain population, increase the extent of invaded range, and maintain gene flow. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.175069 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.175069 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/175069/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/175069/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.164778 2025-11-12 aquaticinvasions

Assessing detection of New Zealand mudsnails at low densities in Arizona streams Hedden,Crosby Mallinson,Caroline Castillo,Crystal Loubere,Alexander Mann,Ryan Bootstrapping Invasive Species Quadrats Physical Detection Surber Sampler Aquatic Invasions 20(4): 461-476 The New Zealand mudsnail (NZMS) is a small-bodied gastropod that has successfully invaded waters across multiple continents. This species has the ability to reach extremely high densities in streams and exclude other aquatic macroinvertebrates which higher trophic levels rely on as a food source. While the effects of NZMS are well studied, early detection methods for this species are limited almost entirely to environmental DNA (eDNA) testing. While eDNA is a valuable tool for the early detection of this species, low density sampling protocols are also essential to verify positive eDNA detections and to determine precise distributions so that management may be implemented in these areas during an invasion. The goal of our study is to evaluate and compare the efficacy of various quadrat sampling protocols to detect NZMS at low densities, and to determine the densities below which detection may become uncertain using these protocols. We tested 10-, 20-, and 30-quadrat grids within 100 m stream reaches, using both random and strategic selection of quadrat sites, to assess each design’s performance in overall probability of detection. We found that a non-random strategic sampling design was significantly more effective at detection of NZMS than a random design. Additionally, we found that, across study streams with different snail densities, taking 14 quadrat Surber samples using non-random strategic site selection consistently led to capture probabilities over 99%, with one exception in the stream with the lowest densities. To account for heterogeneity in habitat and snail density, we recommend using 30 quadrats with non-random strategic site selection to maximize detection in systems with unknown presence. This study outlines a sampling protocol to verify the physical presence of NZMS that can be adapted into monitoring programs or to confirm presence of this species following a suspected introduction. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.164778 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.164778 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/164778/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/164778/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.175531 2025-11-12 aquaticinvasions

An evaluation of research on crayfish invasion pathways in the Great Lakes region Ota,William Budnick,William Keller,Reuben Siwula,Patrick Roth,Brian aquatic invasive species introductions non-indigenous species management retail trade Aquatic Invasions 20(4): 477-494 Invasive crayfish species have become a significant ecological concern in the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin, adversely affecting native biodiversity and ecosystem functions. This review synthesizes 24 years of peer-reviewed literature to elucidate crayfish invasion pathways in the Great Lakes. Over this period, the literature has highlighted natural dispersal and bait release as dominant invasion pathways for crayfish in this region, accounting for over half of reported cases. Emerging pathways, including the retail trade and accidental releases, underscore the evolving nature of invasion pathways. Research efforts have concentrated geographically in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois, with limited studies addressing other Great Lakes states, revealing significant gaps to understand the full scope of invasion pathways. This review identified rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus) and red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) as the focus of much of this work while other species were not as prevalent in introduction pathways research. While historical studies have provided foundational insights, reliance on historical pathways data has limited our understanding of newer mechanisms, such as aquarium trade releases and species misidentifications in retail markets. To address these challenges, we recommend broadening the research focus of future work to encompass underrepresented regions and species, enhancing collaborative efforts among stakeholders, and improving regulatory oversight of retail trade practices. Public engagement is a critical component for mitigating the impacts of invasive crayfish through responsible consumerism and pet ownership practices. This comprehensive synthesis aims to inform future research efforts, policy development and surveillance initiatives, foster coordinated responses to invasive species threats, and contribute to the preservation of the Great Lakes Basin’s ecological integrity. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Review Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.175531 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.175531 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/175531/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/175531/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.164197 2025-11-12 aquaticinvasions

Revealing the trophic role of the invasive African clawed frog Xenopus laevis through combined analysis of stable isotopes and heavy metals in a Mediterranean stream from central Chile Lobos,Gabriel Tapia,Gianina Alzamora,Alejandra Rebolledo,Nicolas Salinas,Hugo Trujillo,Juan Carlos Sánchez,Juan Gómez,Victoria Galbán-Malagón,Cristóbal Bioaccumulation biomagnification diet 13C/12C 15N/14N Aquatic Invasions 20(4): 495-511 The African clawed frog Xenopus laevis is invasive on four continents, and is recognized as one of the invasive amphibians that generates the greatest impacts in the ecosystems it invades. Although its diet has been studied in its native habitat and invaded areas, its trophic role is still unclear, especially in the communities it invades. We studied the diet of X. laevis, and looked at its stable isotope signatures and its bioaccumulation of heavy metals, to gain a better understanding of its trophic role. The diet was found to consist mainly of aquatic invertebrates, with some consumption of the native fish Cheirodon pisciculus. The isotope analysis revealed that the assimilation of prey by X. laevis is unrelated to the most-consumed item. Xenopus laevis occupied a high trophic position in its own stream and was segregated from fish in by its use of trophic resources. Despite its high trophic position, only biomagnification of copper and zinc was found in relation to some prey, but not manganese or arsenic. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.164197 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.164197 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/164197/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/164197/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.171920 2025-11-12 aquaticinvasions

Cold tolerance estimates for the Rio Cauca Caecilian (Typhlonectes natans), a novel amphibian invader in the USA Tuckett,Quenton Everett,Katie Domohowski,T. Myles Blanchard,Jesse Hill,Jeffrey Cessation of feeding chronic lethal minimum temperature CLMin Florida loss of equilibrium Aquatic Invasions 20(4): 513-519 Thermal tolerance can reveal the risk of establishment and spread for non-native tropical species introduced to more subtropical regions. These data are particularly important for novel introductions such as the Rio Cauca Caecilian (Typhlonectes natans), a species of amphibian established in Miami, Florida, United States of America (USA). To estimate its thermal tolerance T. natans individuals were captured with baited traps, transported to the laboratory, and acclimated to 25°C. We used chronic lethal methodology to estimate three cold tolerance endpoints: cessation of feeding, loss of equilibrium, and death. This methodology utilizes a 1°C per day temperature change which allows for stepwise reacclimation. Endpoints were 18.61°C ± 0.91, 17.08–20.56 (mean ± SD, range) for cessation of feeding, 13.61°C ± 0.81, 12.68–14.98 for loss of equilibrium and 12.45°C ± 0.49, 11.72–13.84 for death. The chronic lethal minimum temperature is relatively high for an established aquatic species in Florida, suggesting water temperature may limit its northward spread. Thermal tolerance attributes are one aspect of the risk of spread, and some information gaps remain, including salinity and desiccation tolerance, attributes that could allow movement between coastal watersheds and persistence in seasonal wetlands. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2025 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.171920 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2025.20.4.171920 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/171920/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/171920/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2026.21.1.181535 2026-02-12 aquaticinvasions

Enemy release in the invasive New Zealand mud snail in eastern North America Levri,Edward P. Suter,Gavin Harlow,Gracie Flanders,Nicole Chaetogaster limnaei exotic introduced mutualism parasite Potamopyrgus antipodarum Aquatic Invasions 21(1): 1-12 The enemy release hypothesis is one of the best supported hypotheses to explain the success of invasive species. This hypothesis suggests that invaders are successful, in part, because they experience fewer natural enemies (i.e. predators and parasites) in their invaded range compared to their native range. The New Zealand mud snail (NZMS), Potamopyrgus antipodarum, is a world-wide invader that is highly infected by digenetic trematodes in its native New Zealand. Here we compared infection prevalence of NZMS from multiple locations in the eastern US to published infection prevalences in the native range, and we also compared the infection prevalences of NZMS to infection prevalences of coexisting native snails where coexisting natives were found. We found no NZMS infected with trematodes at any site. In the two locations with coexisting natives, we found at least some natives infected with trematodes, and in one of the locations, we found both natives and NZMS associated with the annelid, Chaetogaster limnaei. C. limnaei can exist as a parasite of mollusks in the renal organ, or it can be found in the mantle cavity where it can act as a mutualist, consuming parasites (i.e. miracidia) that may be trying to infect the snail. We found that NZMS were generally less associated with both forms than native snails, but the ectosymbiotic form was more prevalent than the endoparasitic form in NZMS (and most natives). This creates the possibility that the symbiont may be a net benefit to NZMS and could positively influence invasion success. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2026 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2026.21.1.181535 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2026.21.1.181535 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/181535/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/181535/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2026.21.1.183198 2026-02-12 aquaticinvasions

Assessing differences in food web metrics in freshwater ecosystems after the invasion of Northern crayfish (Faxonius virilis) Van Mierlo,Victoria Green,Stephanie J. Emmerton,Craig A. Nasr,Mina Stuparyk,Blake R. Vinebrooke,Rolf D. Buendia,Cristina Wyatt,Faye R. Poesch,Mark Aquatic invasive species dietary plasticity North Saskatchewan River northern ecosystems niche segregation rivers stable isotopes Aquatic Invasions 21(1): 13-34 Aquatic invasive species are among the greatest threats to freshwater biodiversity. Crayfish are especially robust freshwater invaders that can compete on various trophic levels simultaneously. The Northern Crayfish (Faxonius virilis) was introduced to the North Saskatchewan River basin circa 1990. Their impact on Alberta’s native fish communities remains unknown. We sampled 10 North Saskatchewan River basin tributaries for F. virilis and six common native fishes. We used stable isotope analysis to investigate if there exists resource partitioning and/or competition between F. virilis and native fishes and whether F. virilis sympatry is related to differences in isotopic metrics/body condition of native fishes. Overlap (0.14–31.2%) of F. virilis and native species basin-wide isotopic niches indicated that F. virilis can potentially consume the same dietary resources as secondary consumer fishes. However, segregation of realized isotopic niches indicated no actual consumption of the same resources. Similarity in isotopic metrics/body condition of allopatric and sympatric native fish populations indicated that F. virilis sympatry did not have detectable negative trophic effects on native fishes. Thus, F. virilis may be using dietary plasticity to exploit a different trophic niche than native fishes, ergo, avoiding interspecific competition through resource partitioning. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2026 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2026.21.1.183198 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2026.21.1.183198 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/183198/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/183198/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2026.21.1.181482 2026-02-12 aquaticinvasions

Effects of water depth on the growth of an invasive species, Myriophyllum aquaticum Leng,Mingkai Wu,Xiaodong Feng,Zhenzhen Ge,Xuguang Liu,Haoran Wang,Xing Li,Haoyue Li,Wenhui Water depth light alien species growth adaptation survival rate Aquatic Invasions 21(1): 35-48 The aquatic plant Myriophyllum aquaticum, native to South America, has been introduced to China as an aquarium ornamental plant species over the past 20 years and has now established itself as an invasive species in multiple regions of southern China. In the present study, we conducted a controlled pot experiment with Myriophyllum aquaticum planted at seven different water depths (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 cm) to investigate its growth patterns and adaptive mechanisms in various aquatic environments. As expected, underwater light decreased exponentially with increasing water depth. Spectral analysis indicated significant attenuation across all wavelength bands, with the blue light band being reduced to a greater extent than the red light band, consequently leading to a gradual elevation in the red-to-blue ratio (Red/Blue) with depth, which has a significant effect on the survival rate of M. aquaticum. With an increase in water depth, the survival rate of M. aquaticum showed a decreasing trend; the plants did not survive at a depth of 150 cm. The effect of water depth on the growth and reproduction of M. aquaticum is evident. The growth indices, namely plant height, the number of stem nodes, internodes, the number of branches, the number of tillers, root length, wet weight, and the RGR were all shown to decrease with increasing water depth. Growth conditions gradually diminished with the increase in depth: the Chl-a content of the M. aquaticum leaves gradually decreased, and when the water depth was ≥ 50 cm, the chlorophyll synthesizing ability of the leaves gradually decreased. Increased water depth – and the corresponding stress of low light – resulted in an increase in the malondialdehyde content of the leaves. The results of this experiment demonstrate that M. aquaticum is more likely to become established in shallow-water areas (depth up to 25 cm). info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2026 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2026.21.1.181482 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2026.21.1.181482 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/181482/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/181482/download/pdf/ en

10.3391/ai.2026.21.1.180751 2026-02-12 aquaticinvasions

Ecology and biology of Callinectes sapidus in the Northern Adriatic Sea: could the small spatial scale explain its outbreak? Boschiero,Marco Facca,Chiara Cavraro,Francesco Redolfi Bristol,Simone Gavioli,Anna Riccato,Federico Zucchetta,Matteo Franzoi,Piero Atlantic blue crab fecundity invasion reproductive cycle salinity gradient Aquatic Invasions 21(1): 49-72 The Atlantic blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is among the 100 worst invasive species in the Mediterranean Sea, causing significant ecological and economic impacts. The aim of this study is to investigate key aspects of the species’ biology and ecology during its demographic outbreak in a Northern Adriatic area significantly affected by the species’ invasion. Year-round sampling was carried out across a short spatial gradient encompassing lagoon, estuarine, and marine habitats. This comprehensive approach aimed to elucidate the invasive success of the blue crab. Our findings shows that the species resulted widely distributed across all habitat types, with significant differences among stations, seasons, and sexes, with females being prevalent in higher salinity marine and outer lagoon waters during spawning season. These findings, along with the spatiotemporal analyses of the condition factor and the presence in the lagoon of various cohorts of juveniles over the year, highlight the completion of the complex life cycle of the blue crab on an extremely small spatial scale. Moreover, with an average of over 2 million eggs laid per female and a prolonged spawning season, the species reveals a robust reproductive potential, likely favoured by the short distance between mating and spawning habitats. In conclusion, the results of this study underscore the critical role of the short spatial environmental mosaic in facilitating the invasive success of C. sapidus, providing relevant data for managing this unprecedented demographic explosion. info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1818-5487 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pissn/1798-6540 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess CC BY 4.0 Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 2026 Research Article text/html info:doi:10.3391/ai.2026.21.1.180751 https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2026.21.1.180751 https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/180751/ https://aquaticinvasions.arphahub.com/article/180751/download/pdf/ en