Limited parasite acquisition by non-native Lepomis gibbosus (Actinopterygii: Centrarchidae) at two ponds in the Upper Rhine basin, Germany.

Metazoan parasite communities of Lepomis gibbosus (Centrarchidae), one of the most successfully introduced fish species in Europe, were studied at two isolated ponds (Knielingen, Tropfen) along the Upper Rhine in Germany. Nine parasite taxa were observed, including North American species co-introduced to Europe (ancyrocephalid monogeneans, diplostomid trematodes), circumpolar species infecting L. gibbosus in both their native and non-native ranges (bothriocephalid cestodes) and locally acquired parasitic nematodes. Both parasite communities consisted predominantly of North American species. Acquisition of local parasites was not observed at Tropfen, where the fish community comprised just two species, with L. gibbosus dominant. Low prevalence and abundance of acquired parasites was found at Knielingen, which supported a diverse fish community. At Tropfen, a high abundance of the North American parasite Posthodiplostomum centrarchi probably contributed to the lower condition index, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly observed. Due to low local parasite competency, L. gibbosus appears to have no significant impact on parasite dynamics in affected habitats.

Parasite communities and infection levels of the invasive Chinese sleeper Perccottus glenii (Actinopterygii: Odontobutidae) from the Naab river basin, Germany.

The Chinese sleeper (Perccottus glenii), an invasive Asian fish, was first registered in Germany in 2009 (westernmost extent of its invasive range). We sampled Chinese sleepers from two localities on the Bücherlgraben creek (a tributary of the River Naab) in south-eastern Germany in November 2015 and examined them for parasite infection. Twelve taxa were registered, including ciliates (unidentified Trichodina), a monogenean, three cestode species, two digenean taxa, two acanthocephalan species, two nematode species and one mollusc glochidia. Infracommunities consisted of 1-5 species, with 10% of fish uninfected. Three parasite species (Acanthocephalus anguillae, Gyrodactylus luciopercae and Pseudocapillaria tomentosa) were recorded on Chinese sleepers for the first time. The results highlight the important role of the Chinese sleeper as a second intermediate host in the life cycle of heron and grebe parasites. The Chinese sleeper parasite community displayed low homogeneity at both localities sampled, with allogenic parasites (metacercariae and mesocercoids) mostly shared. Differences between localities were mainly caused by autogenic parasites. No invasive parasites associated with the Chinese sleeper were observed in the study area, all parasites being representatives of European fauna. This supports the hypothesis of introduction via the aquarium trade or through transport with commercial fish.

Carcass feeding as a cryptic foraging mode in round goby Neogobius melanostomus.

Round gobies Neogobius melanostomus were observed readily consuming soft tissue from carcasses of larger fishes under both laboratory and field conditions. Consumption normally progressed in a typical sequence, starting with soft and easily accessible tissues such as the eyes, followed by puncture of the abdominal cavity, gut consumption and then muscle consumption. Carcass feeding has not previously been seen in N. melanostomus and has potential consequences for transfer of nutrients and contaminants.

Reservoir to river passage of age-0+ year fishes, indication of a dispersion pathway for a non-native species.

This study demonstrates passage of age-0+ year individuals of pikeperch Sander lucioperca, common bream Abramis brama and non-native tubenose goby Proterorhinus semilunaris from the Nové Mlýny Reservoir into the River Dyje (Danube River basin, Czech Republic) through the turbine of a hydropower facility. Most fishes had standard length (LS ) in the range 12-33 mm. Seasonal patterns corresponded with spawning activity, i.e. an early single spawning event for S. lucioperca, multiple spawning events for A. brama and continuous spawning with a later start and prolonged duration for P. semilunaris. Sander lucioperca, P. semilunaris and larger A. brama (>22 mm) drifted almost exclusively during the dark; smaller A. brama displayed no preference for light or dark. Proterorhinus semilunaris displayed significantly lower mortality than other species when passing through the turbine (3% compared to 18%). The passage of high numbers of P. semilunaris from the reservoir (estimated at 473 000 individuals per year), and their subsequent mass downstream drift, may have contributed to rapid population establishment along the River Dyje and the quick downstream expansion.

Parasite diversity and microsatellite variability in native and introduced populations of four Neogobius species (Gobiidae).

Species introduced into new areas often show a reduction in parasite and genetic diversity associated to the limited number of founding individuals. In this study, we compared microsatellite and parasite diversity in both native (lower Danube) and introduced populations of 4 Ponto-Caspian gobies, including those (1) introduced from within the same river system (middle Danube; Neogobius kessleri and N. melanostomus), and (2) introduced from a different river system (River Vistula; N. fluviatilis and N. gymnotrachelus). Microsatellite data confirmed the lower Danube as a source population for gobies introduced into the middle Danube. Both native and introduced (same river system) populations of N. kessleri and N. melanostomus had comparable parasite species richness and microsatellite diversity, possibly due to multiple and/or continual migration/introduction of new individuals and the acquisition of local parasites. Reduced parasite species richness and microsatellite diversity were observed in introduced (different river system) populations in the Vistula. A low number of colonists found for N. fluviatilis and N. gymnotrachelus in the Vistula potentially resulted in reduced introduction of parasite species. Insufficient adaptation of the introduced host to local parasite fauna, together with introduction into an historically different drainage system, may also have contributed to the reduced parasite fauna.

River discharge drives recruitment success of the European bitterling Rhodeus amarus in a regulated river in central Europe.

A 15 year data set revealed that the abundance of 0+ year Rhodeus amarus in a regulated river was negatively associated with mean river discharge, while mean standard length was positively related to the cumulative number of degree-days > or =10 degrees C. Results are discussed in the context of the recent invasion success of R. amarus.

First data on uranium uptake in three nototheniid fishes from Antarctica (James Ross Island).

Recent studies have confirmed historic atmospheric deposition of uranium in Antarctica, with a steep and significant increase in levels deposited since the 1980s in Antarctic Peninsula ice core samples. To date, however, there has been little or no attention paid to uranium in the Antarctic food web. Here, we present results for uranium content in scales of three common nototheniid species (Trematomus bernacchii, Gobionotothen gibberifrons, Notothenia coriiceps) from coastal waters off James Ross Island (Antarctic Peninsula). While mean total uranium levels (mean ±â€¯SD) were low and similar between species (N. coriiceps 0.08 µg g-1 ± 0.01, T. bernacchii 0.17 µg g-1 ± 0.10; G. gibberifrons 0.11 µg g-1 ± 0.04), linear regressions against standard length indicated bioaccumulation in T. bernacchii (ANOVA, F = 7.8349, P = 0.0076). We suggest this may be the result of dietary specialisation on prey with calcareous shells that accumulate uranium. To the best of our knowledge, this paper provides the first quantitative baseline data on uranium levels in coastal Antarctic nototheniids. While the low levels recorded are unlikely to represent a threat within the food chain, we suggest that further long-term trophic studies (including stable isotope analysis) are needed, recognising that the feeding ecology of individual species (and even individuals) can have a strong effect on overall trends.

Determination and multivariate statistical analysis of biochemical responses to environmental contaminants in feral freshwater fish Leuciscus cephalus, L.

Modulations of 11 prospective biochemical markers of impacts of aquatic pollutants in liver tissue of chub (Leuciscus cephalus), caught at several sampling sites of a river with various pollution types and rates, were matched against analytical data of concentrations of organochlorine compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals. Multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) of the field data showed general patterns of biochemical responses to different types of pollutants and relationships among the biomarkers. Cytochrome P4501A-dependent 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity, inducible by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and structurally related planar compounds, was strongly enhanced in the more contaminated areas. Compared with polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs did not contribute so significantly to EROD induction. Testosterone 6 beta- and 16 alpha-hydroxylase activities, as an expression of the cytochrome P4503A27, were slightly increased at several sites but were significantly decreased in samples from some heavily polluted areas. Recently, these activities have been suggested as potential biomarkers of exposure to contaminants that do not induce cytochrome P4501A. In this study, their inhibition or induction was not associated with a specific class of monitored contaminants, and selectivities of these modulations are still to be investigated. Similar modulations of the prospective biochemical indicators of oxidative stress, including microsomal glutathione S-transferase activity, cytosolic glutathione S-transferase with ethacrynic acid, and glutathione reductase, were demonstrated by PCA. The pattern of the modulations of the microsomal nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent lipid peroxidation in vitro differed from the responses of the rest of oxidative stress parameters at some sampling sites. Further biochemical markers of oxidative stress under study, including in vivo lipid peroxidation, in vitro production of reactive oxygen species, and the concentration of metallothioneins did not correlate well with the concentrations of the contaminants. Principal component analysis demonstrated that the EROD activity, glutathione-dependent enzymes, and Fe(II)-enhanced lipid peroxidation formed a suitable battery of biomarkers of exposure.

Biodiversity of parasites in freshwater environment in relation to pollution.

During 1994, 129 specimens of chub (Leuciscus cephalus L.) from two localities, polluted--Bolelouc, 80th river kilometer, near the city of Olomouc, and unpolluted--Brodské, 225th river kilometer, near the Lanzhot on the Morava river, were examined for metazoan parasites. Altogether 38 metazoan parasite species including helminths, leeches and glochidia belonging to 14 genera were found, 34 in the case of unpolluted locality (Brodské) and 28 in the polluted one (Bolelouc). In both localities, 24 parasite species (Dactylogyrus folkmanovae, D. naviculoides, D. prostae, D. vistulae, D. vranoviensis, Gyrodactylus carassii, G. gasterostei, G. gracilihamatus, G. scardiniensis, G. vimbi, Gyrodactylus sp., Paradiplozoon ergensi, P. homoion, P. megan, Paradiplozoon sp., Caryophyllaeus brachycollis, Diplostomum spathaceum--larval stage, Philometra abdominalis, Acanthocephalus anguillae, Pomphorhynchus laevis and Glochidium sp.) were found, 10 (D. crucifer, D. nanoides, G. hemibarbi, G. lamberti, G. leucisci, G. lomi, P. rutili, C. fennica, A. imitans, S. bramae) were identified solely in the unpolluted locality Brodské and 4 (D. fallax, G. laevis, P. ovata, G. kearni) parasite species were found only in the polluted locality Bolelouc. Differences in parasite species richness, the level of dominance, the structure of core and in satellite species were observed. Current methods of statistical evaluation were used.

Posthodiplostomum cuticola (Digenea: Diplostomatidae) in intermediate fish hosts: factors contributing to the parasite infection and prey selection by the definitive bird host.

Infection parameters of Posthodiplostomum cuticola, a digenean parasite with a complex life-cycle, were investigated in fish (the second intermediate host) from 6 floodplain water bodies over 2 years. A broad range of factors related to abiotic characteristics of localities, density of the first intermediate (planorbid snails) and definitive (wading birds) hosts and fish community structure were tested for their effects on P. cuticola infection in juvenile and adult fish. Characters of the littoral zone and flood duration were found to be important factors for the presence of the first intermediate and definitive hosts. Visitation time of definitive bird hosts was also related to adult fish host density. Localities with P. cuticola infected fish were visited by a higher number of bird species. Infection of P. cuticola in fish and similarities in infection among fish host assemblages were correlated with fish host density and fish species composition. Parasite infection in both adult and juvenile fishes was associated with the slope of the bank and the bottom type, in particular in juvenile fish assemblages with snail host density. We conclude that habitat characteristics, snail host density and fish community structure contribute significantly to P. cuticola infection in fish hosts.