Evidence of a recent decline in river lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis parasitism of a nationally rare whitefish Coregonus lavaretus: is there a diamond in the ruffe Gymnocephalus cernuus? |
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| Authors: | J B Hume C E Adams C W Bean P S Maitland |
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| Institution: | 1. Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, , Glasgow, G12 8QQ U.K.;2. Scottish Centre for Ecology & the Natural Environment, , Loch Lomond, G63 0AW U.K.;3. Scottish Natural Heritage, Caspian House, Mariner Court, , Clydebank, G81 2NR U.K.;4. Fish Conservation Centre, , Haddington, EH41 4NR U.K. |
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| Abstract: | Lamprey‐induced scarring of the nationally rare Coregonus lavaretus, a known host of a freshwater‐resident population of European river lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis, was found to have declined precipitously since the establishment of several non‐native fishes in Loch Lomond. Evidence presented in this study points to the possibility that L. fluviatilis in this lake may have altered its trophic ecology in response to the negative impact that non‐native species, in particular ruffe Gymnocephalus cernuus, have had on their favoured host. |
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| Keywords: | foraging Loch Lomond non‐native powan Scotland resident |
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