Native drivers of fish life history traits are lost during the invasion process

Rapid adaptation to global change can counter vulnerability of species to population declines and extinction. Theoretically, under such circumstances both genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity can maintain population fitness, but empirical support for this is currently limited. Here, we aim to characterize the role of environmental and genetic diversity, and their prior evolutionary history (via haplogroup profiles) in shaping patterns of life history traits during biological invasion. Data were derived from both genetic and life history traits including a morphological analysis of 29 native and invasive populations of topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva coupled with climatic variables from each location. General additive models were constructed to explain distribution of somatic growth rate (SGR) data across native and invasive ranges, with model selection performed using Akaike's information criteria. Genetic and environmental drivers that structured the life history of populations in their native range were less influential in their invasive populations. For some vertebrates at least, fitness‐related trait shifts do not seem to be dependent on the level of genetic diversity or haplogroup makeup of the initial introduced propagule, nor of the availability of local environmental conditions being similar to those experienced in their native range. As long as local conditions are not beyond the species physiological threshold, its local establishment and invasive potential are likely to be determined by local drivers, such as density‐dependent effects linked to resource availability or to local biotic resistance.     

Length–weight relationships of freshwater fishes from the western part of Anatolia,Turkey

Length–weight relationships were calculated for nine freshwater fish species belonging to two families using 1020 specimens from 15 water sources in the western part of Anatolia, Turkey. This study is the first reference on length–parameters for these species, eight of which are endemic, and with new maximum length records for three of the species.     

A global review and meta-analysis of applications of the freshwater Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit

Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries - The freshwater Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit (FISK) has been applied in 35 risk assessment areas in 45 countries across the six inhabited continents (11...     

Length–weight relationships of six freshwater fishes from small streams flowing into Lake Sapanca, NW Turkey

Length–weight relationships are given on six freshwater fish species ( Phoxinus phoxinus , Cobitis vardarensis , Neogobius gymnotrachelus , Proterorhinus marmoratus, Petroleuciscus borysthenicus and Gambusia holbrooki ) from four streams flowing into Lake Sapanca, north-western Turkey.     

A review of growth and life-history traits of native and non-native European populations of black bullhead <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ameiurus melas</Emphasis>

North American black bullhead, Ameiurus melas, which were introduced to Europe in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, have received relatively little study. With focus on growth and reproduction, this extensive review, which includes new European data, aims to inform the risk analysis process concerning this non-native species in Europe. Surprisingly, the new data for Europe were more comprehensive than for native populations, with data available mainly from Oklahoma, and North and South Dakota (USA). In terms of relative growth, juvenile A. melas were found to have a relatively uniform body shape regardless of the population’s origin, whereas adults developed different phenotypes depending upon location. Overall growth trajectory was significantly faster for native than for non-native populations. Growth index values decreased significantly with increasing latitude in non-native but not native populations—the latter decreasing weakly with increasing altitude in the populations located at latitudes <40°. Mean general condition (slope ‘b’), mean sex ratio and mean egg diameter did not differ significantly between native and non-native populations. Absolute fecundity was slightly (but not significantly) higher in non-native than native populations. GSI data, which were very scarce for native populations, suggest gonad production may be slightly higher in native than in non-native populations. Precise data on age at maturity (AaM) are lacking for the native range, where 2–5 years is reported. Whereas, in the introduced range the greatest AaM was 3.5 years, and AaM decreases with increasing juvenile growth (TL at age 3). The populations with fastest juvenile growth tended to be from warmer water bodies where they are considered to be invasive. The great growth and life-history plasticity of black bullhead affords the species great potential to invade and establish viable populations in new areas.     

Risk screening of non‐native freshwater fishes at the frontier between Asia and Europe: first application in Turkey of the fish invasiveness screening kit

The aim of the present study was to assess the invasive potential of introduced non‐native and translocated fishes in Turkey (Anatolia and Thrace) by applying the Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit (FISK), a risk identification tool for freshwater fishes. From independent evaluations by two assessors of 35 species, calibration of FISK for Turkey identified a threshold score of 23, which reliably distinguished between potentially invasive (high risk) and potentially non‐invasive (medium to low risk) fishes for Anatolia (Asia) and Thrace (Europe). No species was categorized as ‘low risk’, 18 species were categorized as ‘medium risk’ and 17 as ‘high risk’ (two being ‘moderately high risk’, nine ‘high risk’, and six ‘very high risk’). The highest scoring species was gibel carp Carassius gibelio, whereas the lowest scoring species was Caucasian dwarf goby Knipowitschia caucasica, a translocated species. Assessor certainty in their responses averaged overall between ‘mostly uncertain’ and ‘mostly certain’, with red piranha Pygocentrus nattereri and topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva achieving the lowest and highest certainty values, respectively, and with overall significant differences in certainty between assessors. The results of the present study indicate that FISK is a useful and viable tool for identifying potentially invasive non‐native fishes in Turkey, a country characterized by natural biogeographical frontiers.     

Temporal variation in drug interaction between lithium and morphine-induced analgesia

The administration-time-dependent aspects of the drug interaction between lithium and morphine-induced analgesia were studied using the mouse hot-plate test at six different times of day, each scheduled at 4 h intervals. Lithium treatment alone, in doses of 1 to 10 mmol/kg administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) did not significantly alter test latencies compared to the corresponding clock-time in saline-injected controls. Basal pain sensitivity and morphine-induced antinociceptive activity displayed significant circadian rhythms as assessed by the hot-plate response latencies, with higher values occurring during the nocturnal activity than during the daytime rest span. Acute administration of lithium, in a dose of 3 mmol/kg, 30 min prior to morphine dosing did not influence morphine-induced analgesia compared to all the clock-time test-matched morphine groups, except the 9 HALO (Hours After Lights On) one. There was a prominent potentiation of the morphine-induced antinociception at this biological time during combined drug treatment. The latter finding demonstrates that administration-time-dependent differences in drug-drug interactions need to be considered in both experimental designs and clinical settings.     

A global assessment of freshwater fish introductions in mediterranean-climate regions

Mediterranean-climate regions (med-regions) are global hotspots of endemism facing mounting environmental threats associated with human-related activities, including the ecological impacts associated with non-native species introductions. We review freshwater fish introductions across med-regions to evaluate the influences of non-native fishes on the biogeography of taxonomic and functional diversity. Our synthesis revealed that 136 freshwater fish species (26 families, 13 orders) have been introduced into med-regions globally. These introductions, and local extirpations, have increased taxonomic and functional faunal similarity among regions by an average of 7.5% (4.6–11.4%; Jaccard) and 7.2% (1.4–14.0%; Bray–Curtis), respectively. Faunal homogenisation was highest in Chile and the western Med Basin, whereas sw Cape and the Aegean Sea drainages showed slight differentiation (decrease in faunal similarity) over time. At present, fish faunas of different med-regions have widespread species in common (e.g. Gambusia holbrooki, Cyprinus carpio, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Carassius auratus, and Micropterus salmoides) which are typically large-bodied, non-migratory, have higher physiological tolerance, and display fast population growth rates. Our findings suggest that intentional and accidental introductions of freshwater fish have dissolved dispersal barriers and significantly changed the present-day biogeography of med-regions across the globe. Conservation challenges in med-regions include understanding the ecosystem consequences of non-native species introductions at macro-ecological scales.     

Evaluation of Essential and Toxic Trace Elements in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome and Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX), an age-related disorder of the eye, is associated with significant ophthalmic morbidity and can lead to pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEG). The etiology of this disorder has not been clearly understood. Trace elements have been suggested to have roles in the pathogenesis of several disorders. This study aimed to determine whether trace element levels have a role in the development of PEX and/or PEG. Levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), vanadium (V), arsenic (As), aluminum (Al), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and strontium (Sr) were determined in serum samples of 32 cases of PEX, 30 cases of PEG, and 32 control subjects using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. Mn, Mo, and Hg concentrations were found to be significantly increased in patients with PEX. Logistic regression revealed Mn and Hg as the strongest determinants of PEX and Mo as the strongest determinant of PEG in the studied Turkish subjects. Levels of Mn, Cr, Co, Mo, Al, Hg, Sr, Ni, V, and As were determined for the first time in these ophthalmological disorders. Increased levels of serum Mn, Mo, and Hg suggest a possible role of these elements in the pathobiology of PEX.     

Genomic footprints of a biological invasion: Introduction from Asia and dispersal in Europe of the topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva)

Facilitated by the intensification of global trading, the introduction and dispersal of species to areas in which they are historically non‐native is nowadays common. From an evolutionary standpoint, invasions are paradoxical: not only non‐native environments could be different from native ones for which introduced individuals would be ill‐adapted, but also small founding population size should be associated with reduced adaptive potential. As such, biological invasions are considered valuable real‐time evolutionary experiments. Here, we investigated the population structure and adaptive potential of the highly invasive topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva) across Europe and East Asia. We RAD‐sequenced 301 specimens from sixteen populations and three distinct within‐catchment invaded regions as well as two locations in the native range. With 13,785 single nucleotide polymorphisms, we provide conclusive evidence for a genome‐wide signature of two distinct invasion events, in Slovakia and Turkey, each originating from a specific area in the native range. A third invaded area, in France, appears to be the result of dispersal within the invasive range. Few loci showed signs of selection, the vast majority of which being identified in the Slovakian region. Functional annotation suggests that faster early stage development, resistance to pollution and immunocompetence contribute to the invasion success of the local habitats. By showing that populations in the invasive range have different evolutionary histories, our study reinforces the idea that populations, rather than species, are the units to consider in invasion biology.