Effects of the invasive species Amur sleeper Perccottus glenii in Estonian freshwater ecosystems

Session: Invasive species (2)

Fabio Ercoli, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Chair of Hydrobiology and Fishery, [email protected]
Meelis Tambets, Wildlife Estonia , [email protected]
Einar Kangenberg, Wildlife Estonia, [email protected]
Arvox Tuvikene, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Chair of Hydrobiology and Fishery, [email protected]
Mikko Kiljunen, University of Jyväskylä, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, [email protected]

Abstract

The recent rapid expansion of alien fish species Amur sleeper (Perccottus glenii Dybowski) in Central European waters will cause serious threats to local aquatic communities. However the ecology of this invasive fish species and its potential impacts on the freshwater ecosystems have been poorly studied. Amur sleeper has already been found from the rivers and lakes in Estonia and it is only a question of time before this alien species finds its way to large lakes such as Peipsi and Võrtsjärv. In this study carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes and gut content analyses were used to investigate trophic niche and diet of Amur sleeper to assess its ecological effects in three different Estonian freshwater ecosystems. Our results indicate that in Estonian newly invaded water bodies Amur sleeper’s diet relies mainly on macroinvertebrates, but it can also prey on fish displaying a predator role in food web. In the three studied ecosystems the trophic niches of Amur sleeper are slightly different. This is apparently rather due to different age classes, suggesting ontogenetic diet shift, than differences in available food sources. Our findings showed the potential negative impact of Amur sleeper on native freshwater communities due to its voracious non-selective feeding habits.