Niche partitioning of invasive Amur sleeper (Perccottus glenii) amongst native fish communities in three different freshwater ecosystems

By

Ercoli, Fabio
Kiljunen, Mikko
Teesalu, Paul
Tuvikene, Arvo
Tambets, Meelis
Kärgenberg, Einar
Nõges, Tiina

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024

Original Publication

NeoBiota : advancing research on alien species and biological invasions

Volume

95

Pages

181--198

Subjects

gut content , invasive species , isotopic niche , native fish community , ontogenetic shift , stable isotopes

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sophia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.95.116327

 

Abstract

The invasive fish, Amur sleeper, poses a significant and growing threat to Central European freshwater ecosystems. Despite its rapid spread, the ecological implications of its invasion have been poorly explored. Recent findings confirm its presence in various Estonian freshwater systems, raising concerns about its imminent expansion into larger lakes. To better understand its potential ecological impacts, we explored the isotopic niche of the Amur sleeper in comparison with native fish species co-existing in three Estonian freshwater ecosystems. We employed carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses alongside gut content analyses. Our findings show that the Amur sleeper’s diet in newly-invaded Estonian water bodies predominantly comprises benthic macroinvertebrates, although it may also include fish, confirming its role as a predator in the local food web. Notably, Amur sleeper populations exhibited clear isotopic niche partitioning in three invaded ecosystems. A logistic regression model, based on stomach content analyses, revealed an ontogenetic diet shift from benthivorous to piscivorous feeding habits from small to large specimens. Amur sleeper exhibits voracious, non-selective feeding habits, which can negatively impact native freshwater communities. The ability to occupy a distinct isotopic niche, with minimal overlap with native fish populations, may reduce interspecific competition, facilitating the spread and establishment of Amur sleeper in newly-invaded habitats. Managing the spread of this invasive species thus becomes even more critical to safeguard the integrity of native aquatic ecosystems.