Anar al contingut (clic a Intro)
UdG Home UdG Home
Tancar
Menú

Grup de recerca en Ecologia aquàtica continental (GRECO)

Invasive peacock basses and decreased abundance of small native fish in Brazilian reservoirs

Peacock basses (Cichla spp.) have been introduced in impoundments for decades, and their negative impacts on the native fish fauna have been documented. However, previous studies largely focused on the overall responses of fish assemblages, often neglecting specific predator–prey interactions and the underlying effects of environmental characteristics.

Abstract

 

  1. Peacock basses (Cichla spp.) have been introduced in impoundments for decades, and their negative impacts on the native fish fauna have been documented. However, previous studies largely focused on the overall responses of fish assemblages, often neglecting specific predator–prey interactions and the underlying effects of environmental characteristics.
  2. Here, the effects of peacock bass introduction on the size structure (<120, 120–180 and >180 mm in total length) of fish assemblages in reservoirs of the Paraíba do Sul river basin were assessed. The abundance and time since the introduction of peacock basses were used as predictors, together with reservoir features, limnological variables and habitat composition as potential influencing factors.
  3. Descriptors of the overall community (richness, abundance and species composition) were only marginally associated with the occurrence of peacock basses. However, small and (to a lesser extent) medium-sized fish were adversely affected by the abundance and introduction time of peacock basses. Two pelagic native characids – namely Astyanax cf. bimaculatus and Oligosarcus hepsetus – were the most affected.
  4. Redundancy analysis showed that reservoir age and macrophyte cover were the best predictors of fish assemblage composition. Older reservoirs and reservoirs with a higher cover of macrophytes showed a greater abundance of catfish and characids, respectively.
  5. Peacock basses appear to affect fish assemblages through predation on small fish. Therefore, analyses of assemblages by size are recommended, as the use of overall assemblage descriptors may not be sufficient to capture the adverse effects of peacock basses. Moreover, these findings underscore the importance of conserving and restoring habitats in littoral zones, which function as refuges for native fish species in reservoirs. Further educational and management measures are warranted to prevent the spread of peacock basses to other reservoirs in Brazil.

 

Franco A.C., , Petry A.C. & García-Berthou E. & Santos L.N. Invasive peacock basses (Cichla spp.) and decreased abundance of small native fish in Brazilian reservoirs. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems: in press. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3874

 

Notícies relacionades

Escull quins tipus de galetes acceptes que el web de la Universitat de Girona pugui guardar en el teu navegador.

Les imprescindibles per facilitar la vostra connexió. No hi ha opció d'inhabilitar-les, atès que són les necessàries pel funcionament del lloc web.

Permeten recordar les vostres opcions (per exemple llengua o regió des de la qual accediu), per tal de proporcionar-vos serveis avançats.

Proporcionen informació estadística i permeten millorar els serveis. Utilitzem cookies de Google Analytics que podeu desactivar instal·lant-vos aquest plugin.

Per a oferir continguts publicitaris relacionats amb els interessos de l'usuari, bé directament, bé per mitjà de tercers (“adservers”). Cal activar-les si vols veure els vídeos de Youtube incrustats en el web de la Universitat de Girona.