The distributions of invasive Neogobius species were investigated in the Slovak section River Danube from Bratislava downstream to village Chl'aba. During October 2004, main channel was sampled, including by-pass, head-race and tail-race canals Gabčíkovo dam, backwaters lower-most sections tributaries Malý Dunaj, Hron, Váh Ipel'. Three already documented Slovakia captured (monkey goby fluviatilis, bighead N. kessleri, round melanostomus), with latter two being found almost all stretches...

Abstract – We investigated somatic condition, growth rate, diet and food resources of the native (lower Danube) non‐native (upper populations invasive bighead goby Neogobius kessleri round N. melanostomus within Danube River to answer question whether prey availability type may have facilitated successful invasion upper Danube. The both species were in better condition grew faster. biomass nonmollusc macrozoobenthos, dominated by Amphipoda, was markedly higher range while molluscs recorded...

Interspecific symbiotic relationships involve a complex network of interactions, and understanding their outcome requires quantification the costs benefits to both partners. We experimentally investigated in relationship between European bitterling fish (Rhodeus sericeus) freshwater mussels that are used by R. sericeus for oviposition. This has hitherto been thought mutualistic, on premise use as foster parents embryos while hosts larvae. demonstrate is parasite mussels, because it (i)...

Abstract Sexual selection involves two main mechanisms: intrasexual competition for mates and intersexual mate choice. We experimentally separated (male–male interference competition) (female choice) components of sexual in a freshwater fish, the European bitterling ( Rhodeus sericeus ). compared roles multiple morphological behavioural traits male success both competition, their relation to reproductive success, measured as paternity offspring. Body size was important female choice...

The Ponto-Caspian fish species, tubenose goby Protherorhinus marmoratus, was recorded for the first time in Poland. Six specimens were captured during April 2008 from rip-rap habitat where river enters of Wloclawski Reservoir, which is situated lower section Vistula River (Baltic basin). This appears to be next stage species’ westward invasion through so-called ‘central corridor’ species. is, therefore, fourth alien recent decades disperse into Polish inland waters, following after round...

Host-parasite relationships are often characterized by the rapid evolution of parasite adaptations to exploit their host, and counteradaptations in host avoid costs imposed parasitism. Hence, current coevolutionary state between a its hosts is predicted vary according history sympatry local abundance interacting species. We compared unique reciprocal relationship fish, European bitterling (Rhodeus amarus) freshwater mussels (Unionidae) areas recent (Central Europe) ancient (Turkey) sympatry....

Parasite fauna of round goby Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814) in the Danube River was investigated both its native range (two sites Bulgarian stretch Danube) and non-native distribution (Croatian, Slovak Austrian stretches) during 2005 2006. The aim to identify possible changes parasite communities associated with introduction a host into new environment. A total 29 metazoan species were found parasitize River; twelve these distribution. Introduction novel via not found. Eight occurred...

Abstract Diplozoids are parasitic flatworms known for their unique development, whereby two hermaphroditic individuals fuse to form a single adult. They exhibit varying host specificity, with Paradiplozoon homoion having the widest distribution, making it suitable model population genetic studies. In this study, variability of P. was assessed from 60 cyprinoid fish species at 47 sites in western Palaearctic using mitochondrial COI gene. Moreover, novel sequence data four ribosomal and one...

Metazoan parasites were investigated in three non-native fishes (monkey goby Neogobius fluviatilis, bighead kessleri and round melanostomus) collected from the former current main channel of River Danube Hron, Slovakia, November 2003. Thirteen parasite species identified: Triaenophorus crassus, Diplostomum sp., Tylodelphys clavata, Metorchis xanthosomus, Nicolla skrjabini, Gyrodactylus proterorhini, Pomphorhynchus laevis, Contracoecum Raphidascaris acus, Anguillicola Unio tumidus, Anodonta...

Assuming that differences or similarities in morphology among congeneric parasite species living the same habitat are not a random pattern, several hypotheses explaining morphological were tested: (i) reproductive isolation, (ii) niche restriction resulting from competition, and (iii) specialization. Congeneric monogenean (platyhelminth) ectoparasites parasitizing gills of one host used as an ecological model. Morphometric distances attachment organ morphometric copulatory between pairs...

The spatial distribution of breeding resources can have pronounced demographic and evolutionary consequences. We used 20 experimental groups the bitterling (Rhodeus amarus), an annual fish with a promiscuous, resource-based mating system, extended season to investigate how (clumped or regular) oviposition sites (live freshwater mussels) affected offspring production, variation in reproductive success, directional selection on phenotypic traits over their entire lifetime. did not detect any...

The main prediction of life-history theory is that optimal energy allocated among the traits related to growth, maintenance and survival. It hypothesized resource immune function, which generates resistance towards parasites reduce fitness losses caused by parasitism, depending on other requirements for energetic benefits associated with them. aims this study are investigate in a comparative way (1) how parasitism fish life history (fecundity, longevity, mortality), (2) whether there...

Abstract Monogenean parasites of Amur sleeper Perccottus glenii introduced to Europe during the last century were studied two seasons in Wloclawski Reservoir (Poland). Introduction a single species Gyrodactylus perccotti with its host was confirmed both seasons: autumn 2006 and spring 2008. Occurrence G. reported for first time. Intensity infection decreased from 2008, but prevalence did not differ between seasons. sampled showed low morphometrical variability high morphological similarity...

In recent years, pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus (Actinopterygii: Centrarchidae) have spread intensively to many parts of Europe, including Ukraine. this study, we (1) assess intra-population genetic variability in five widely-spaced Ukrainian populations and compare their population structure with other European (2) provide a comprehensive survey parasites across the region. Discriminant analysis principal components F ST analyses based on microsatellites indicated that all formed discrete...

Monogenean parasites are often co-introduced with their fish hosts into novel areas. This study confirmed co-introduction of two dactylogyrids, Dactylogyrus squameus Gusev, 1955 and Bivaginogyrus obscurus (Gusev, 1955), a newly described gyrodactylid species, Gyrodactylus pseudorasborae n. sp. Europe along host, the invasive topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva (Temminck & Schlegel) from East Asia. All three species were observed in lower Dnieper middle Danube basin regions had slightly...

Abstract Ponto–Caspian gobies are among Europe's most invasive freshwater fish species. These small and brackish water have spread rapidly since the end of last century, invading major European river systems, including Rivers Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Meuse, Vistula, Elbe, Nemunas, Neva, Volga, while also establishing in streams, dam reservoirs, lakes, artificial canals 17 countries. Two species successfully established North America. The contribution to local assemblages varies, but locally...

Abstract In 2001, fish diversity and abundance were investigated in six man‐made borrow pits the flood plain of River Dyje (Danube basin). All had uniform habitats without shelter, with limited spawning nursery areas. Spawning habitat conditions three experimentally improved by managed flooding during spring summer, while other not flooded. Adult (>1 year) surveyed autumn beach seining 0+ monitored monthly dipnetting fry seine nets. Flooded slightly higher adult species richness,...

SUMMARY 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 both native (lower Danube) populations 4 Ponto-Caspian gobies, including those (1) from within same river system (middle Danube; Neogobius kessleri N. melanostomus ), (2) different (River Vistula; fluviatilis gymnotrachelus ). Microsatellite data confirmed lower Danube as source population for...