Dilution stress facilitates colonization of invasive mosquitofish in a saline Mediterranean stream: population biology response. Issue 1 (14th September 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ruiz‐Navarro, Ana; Verdiell‐Cubedo, David; Torralva, Mar; Oliva‐Paterna, Francisco J.
• Is Part Of: Aquatic conservation. Volume 23:Issue 1(2013)
• Page Start: 77
• Page End: 87
• Publication Date: 2012-09-14
• Subjects: Aquatic ecology -- Periodicals; Conservation of natural resources -- Periodicals; Aquatic resources -- Periodicals; 333.95216
• DOI: 10.1002/aqc.2280
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1052-7613

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <p> <list list-type="order"> <list-item> <p>Knowledge of the interplay of abiotic factors and the invasive success of exotic fish is fundamental both to proper management and the ability to predict consequences for native communities.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>The highly invasive eastern mosquitofish (<italic>Gambusia holbrooki</italic>) has been introduced worldwide; however, although salinity could limit its invasive success, the influence of variations in water salinity on its population biology has been scarcely studied.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>The present study aimed to analyse the effect of changes in water salinity on the life history and microhabitat use of a mosquitofish population inhabiting a hypersaline stream subjected to human‐caused dilution stress.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>Dilution process and associated habitat changes, such as increased aquatic vegetation, available food and the spread of invasive riparian vegetation (the common reed <italic>Phragmites australis</italic>), seem to have favoured mosquitofish proliferation and colonization.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>Dilution caused an increased somatic condition for all individuals and a higher reproductive investment of males and larger females. This led to greater survival, recruitment rates, and abundance during the period of lower salinity.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>The species showed changes in microhabitat use which could be advantageous in less saline conditions; for instance, the species preferentially used areas with the presence of <italic>P. australis</italic> as a refuge, and this pattern increased during the dilution period.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>These results support the hypothesis that human activity is one of the main forces shaping the colonization and proliferation of exotic freshwater fishes. At least in a Mediterranean context, an increase in mosquitofish abundance and the improvement of its population status could be clear indicators of the degradation of natural saline systems.</p> </list-item> </list> Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</p> </abstract>