Distribution of the non-native fish species, pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus (Linnaeus, 1758), in Turkey

Abstract

Gracilaria vermiculophylla, a red macroalga from the West Pacific, was discovered in western Germany (the Wadden Sea) in 2002 and has since also been observed in Sweden (from about 70 km south to about 80 km north of Göteborg), Denmark (Wadden Sea, Horsens Fjord, Limfjorden, Vejle Fjord, Holckenhavn Fjord, Øster Hurup Harbor) and eastern Germany (Kiel Bay). Today, less than 5 years following its first observation in the Wadden Sea the invader is common in many invaded regions, often being amongst the most abundant macroalgal species. G. vermiculophylla is successful in shallow protected soft-bottom estuaries and bays, typically in association with ubiquitous native invertebrates (lugworms, tube-building worms, mussels, cockles, snails). The invertebrates provide substratum for holdfast attachment and thalli incorporation, most likely increasing the stability of local G. vermiculophylla populations. We hypothesize that this substratum provision is highly important for its general invasion success. We also confirm that G. vermiculophylla can maintain growth at all salinities experienced along Danish coastlines (8.5-34 psu). In addition, laboratory experiments indicate that the ubiquitous grazer Littorina littorea has the potential to control G. vermiculophylla growth under specific environmental conditions, but also that L. littorea may facilitate small-scale dispersal within invaded locations, because grazing increases thalli fragmentation rates. Given its widespread distribution, rapid range expansion, and known ecological traits, G. vermiculophylla is clearly a permanent resident of northern European waters.

Microhabitat interactions of non-native pumpkinseedLepomis gibbosusin a Mediterranean-type stream suggest no evidence for impact on endemic fishes

“…Following its introduction to Europe in the late 1900s as an ornamental fish for estate ponds, it was first found in Turkish inland waters of the Thrace Region (European part of Turkey) in the early 1980s (Erk'akan, 1983;Baran and Ongan, 1988). In the 2000s, the species was introduced to Anatolia (Asian part of Turkey: Özcan, 2007;Ağdamar et al, 2015), and more recently the number of L. gibbosus populations in Turkish waters was reported to have increased . Whilst in southern Europe L. gibbosus has become a successful invader responsible for detrimental effects on the native fish fauna (Cucherousset et al, 2009), for Turkish inland waters it is still regarded as a 'potential' invader .…”

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“…3). A further three species, Clarias gariepinus (Küçük & İkiz, 2004;Emiroğlu, 2011), L. gibbosus (Özcan, 2007;Top, 2011) and Tinca tinca (Balık et al, 1997), have established widespread populations in their introduced range and dominate communities in these areas. Coptodon zilli (formerly Tilapia zilli), however, have established a widespread population but do not dominate communities (Balma et al, 1995).…”

The Fish Fauna of Göynük Stream (Bingöl)

“…Ancak bu durum daha sonra yapılacak çalışmalarda bu türlere rastlanmayacağı anlamına da gelmemektedir. Çünkü bilinçsiz balıklandırma ile sıcaklığa, kirliliğe ve düşük oksijen konsantrasyonuna karşı toleransı oldukça yüksek olan bu istilacı cinsin üyeleri akarsularda bile yaşama şansı bulabilmektedirler (Özcan, 2007;Yazıcıoğlu et al, 2013). Kuru (1971) Ekingen & Sarıeyyüpoğlu (1981)'nun çalışmasında bu türe ait verilerin Güney ve Güney Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi olarak verilmesi bir hata olarak görülmektedir (Yıldırım et al, 2015).…”