Distribution of invasive muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) and impact on ecosystem

Skyrienė, Gintarė; Paulauskas, Algimantas

doi:10.6001/ekologija.v58i3.2532

Cited by 15 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…The impacts from potential mechanisms of predation were the direct consumption of adult unionid mussels by fish, direct competition with or predation on indigenous fish hosts, and the unintentional consumption or disturbance of juvenile mussels through bioturbation of bottom sediments (Fei et al, ; Poos et al, ). Mortality as a result of predation occurred after failed consumption, via desiccation following transfer to the terrestrial environment (Skyrienė & Paulauskas, ), as has been observed along some New Zealand streams (Moore, pers. observ.).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Interactions between Unionida and non‐native species: A global meta‐analysis

Moore

Collier

Duggan

2019

Aquatic Conservation

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1. Understanding the multiple agents of decline is important for the conservation of globally threatened Unionida (Class Bivalvia), but threats from non-native species have received limited attention. To address this gap, a global meta-analysis was conducted aimed at identifying known interactions and mechanisms of impact and informing potential effect pathways for the New Zealand unionid fauna.2. The main non-native groups identified as interacting with unionids were fish (38% of published studies), macrophytes (33%), and vertebrate predators (30%), with 70% of interactions leading to adverse impacts on mussels. Most studies used field surveys (~50%) and were conducted in rivers (~50%).3. Impacts occurred across the unionid life cycle (adult, glochidia, host, and juvenile), and primarily affected processes that determine the transitions between life-cycle stages (fertilization, infestation, settlement, and maturation). The impacts of nonnative macrophytes and fish were predicted to be greater for transitional stages than the impact of vertebrate predators, which mostly affected adult mussels. New ZealandUnionida are most likely to be affected by interactions with nonnative species in lowland lakes and waterways, where connectivity for diadromous native fish hosts and high bioinvasion potential intersect.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Interactions between Unionida and non‐native species: A global meta‐analysis

Moore

Collier

Duggan

2019

Aquatic Conservation

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“…The muskrat is absent in the Mediterranean, and grazing pressure may be lower in Scandinavia due to more severe winters and higher predation (Atsimo, ). In Central Europe the muskrat, although widespread (Skyriene & Paulauskas, ), has not frequently been reported as a cause of reed decline (Ostendorp, ; Ostendorp, ; Rücker et al ., ; Dienst et al ., ). It might have been overlooked there as well.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why do reed beds decline and fail to re‐establish? A case study of Dutch peat lakes

Vermaat

Bos²,

Burg³

2016

Freshwater Biology

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Summary The decline in emergent reed beds in eutrophic shallow lakes in Europe has been linked to multiple factors, such as adverse water and sediment quality, shoreline development and fixed water level preventing recolonisation, recreational disturbances and herbivory by geese and muskrat. This study analyses the relative importance of these factors in a historical context and tests experimentally what currently may prevent the re‐establishment of emergent reed beds. We examined the historical extent of emergent reed stands (1925–2013) in relation to long‐term time series of lakeside housing development (1920–2013), abundance of greylag geese (Anser anser) and muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) as well as water quality (1977–2013) for the shallow lowland peat lake district of Reeuwijk in The Netherlands. In addition, we carried out a comparative survey to generalise our results and an exclosure experiment to test whether current muskrat grazing pressure may hamper restoration efforts. A steady, linear decline in the extent of emergent reed beds over time corresponded significantly with a similar increase in lakeside house density. We found no correlation with herbivore stocks or water quality parameters. In the exclosures, rapid expansion of common reed (Phragmites australis), branched bur‐reed (Sparganium erectum) and submerged pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.) occurred, suggesting muskrat herbivory as a factor‐limiting emergent reed re‐establishment in the foreshore. A combined understanding of the different roles of slow, long‐term pressures (such as housing development) and present constraints (the continuous grazing pressure by muskrat despite a culling program) is crucial to the successful restoration of reed beds in shallow lakes.

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“…The history and result of muskrat introductions in Europe, as well as their dispersal rates and the impact of muskrat on biota and their habitats in north‐western Europe, are discussed in Danell . Nowadays, muskrats are present everywhere in the lowlands of north‐western Europe, and in some regions a control programme is in place. With how much conviction and by what strategy the control is implemented, however, vary greatly by region.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%