Interactions of invasive pumpkinseed with a riverine endemic fish indicate trophic overlap but minimal consequences for somatic growth and condition

Karakuş U., Tarkan A. S., Yalçin-Özdilek Ş., Top-Karakuş N., Partal N., Britton J. R.

Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems, no.424, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1051/kmae/2023010
  • Journal Name: Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aqualine, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Environment Index, Pollution Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Keywords: Diet overlap, Freshwater fish, Growth index, Stable isotope analysis
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The North American invasive fish pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus has been associated with some detrimental ecological consequences in some parts of its invasive range. Here, we tested the trophic interactions of pumpkinseed with the endemic stream fish Aegean chub Squalius fellowesii ('chub') in a Mediterranean-type water course in SW Anatolia, Turkey, using a bulk stable isotope approach (d13C, d15N). Seven sampling sites were able to be grouped as chub in pumpkinseed presence (n=2) and absence (n=3), and pumpkinseed in chub absence (n=2). Across these groups, stable isotope metrics revealed that chub trophic (isotopic) niche size was similar in pumpkinseed presence/absence, but pumpkinseed had a larger niche in chub presence. In sites where they are co-habited, their niches showed some convergence, but with no apparent consequences for their growth or body condition, suggesting there were minimal ecological consequences of this sharing of food resources. These results suggest that the trophic consequences of this riverine invasion of pumpkinseed on this endemic chub was minimal.