Dietary contributions of the alien zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha in British freshwater fish suggest low biological resistance to their invasion

• DOI: 10.1007/s10750-022-04861-5
• Publication Date: 2022-03-30T06:02:36Z
• Authors: Victoria Domingue...; Emma T. Nolan; Emily R. Winter; J. Robert Britton
• Keywords: Dreissena; Zebra mussel; Rutilus; Esox; Percidae; Fresh water fish

Abstract Native communities can resist the establishment and invasion of alien species through consumptive and/or competitive interactions. The extent resistance from freshwater fish to zebra mussels Dreissena polymorpha , a globally invasive Ponto-Caspian species, was assessed in two areas Britain using stable isotope analysis, where mixing models predicted contribution putative prey resources (including mussel) diet. Across sites only roach Rutilus rutilus were have diet contributed highly (predicted contribution: 44%), with literature suggesting that their functional morphology would facilitated consumption this item. Predicted contributions common bream Abramis brama comparatively low (29%), despite them being present much larger sizes than roach, pike Esox lucius perch Perca fluviatilis pikeperch Sander lucioperca also dietary (0.08%, 24% 24%, respectively). These results suggest its has been and, correspondingly, if there is management desire further limit then relying on biological appears be insufficient.