Condition status and parasite infection of Neogobius kessleri and N. melanostomus (Gobiidae) in their native and non-native area of distribution of the Danube River
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2010 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Ecological Research |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | http://www.springerlink.com/content/05830734l2p72218/ |
| Field | Ecology |
| Keywords | Danube River; fish introductions; parasite; Ponto-Caspian gobies |
| Description | In this study, somatic condition and parasite infection were compared between native and non-native populations of Neogobius kessleri and N. melanostomus. Higher values of Fulton’s condition factor were observed in non-native populations of both goby species. Neogobius melanostomus attained higher gonadosomatic index values in non-native populations, indicating potential increased investment into reproduction in its new area. N. kessleri showed higher susceptibility to parasites in both native and non-native populations. Non-native populations of both hosts showed higher infracommunity richness as a result of acquiring parasites native to the new area, but lower parasite abundance. Differences in success of the introduction and establishment in the new areas between the two fish species may be associated with a relatively low parasite infection rate and a higher gonadosomatic index in non-native populations of N. melanostomus in comparison to N. kessleri. |
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