Invasions of alien amphipods (Amphipoda: Gammaridea) in aquatic ecosystems of North-Western Russia: pathways and consequences

Abstract

Since the middle of the 20th century, six species of Ponto-Caspian amphipods (Chaetogammarus ischnus, C. warpachowskyi, Chelicorophium curvispinum, Dikerogammarus haemobaphes, Obesogammarus crassus, Pontogammarus robustoides), one Baikalian amphipod Gmelinoides fasciatus and one amphipod of Atlantic origin Gammarus tigrinus have expanded in Russia and adjacent regions. A wide variety of human mediated vectors such as deliberate and accidental introductions, natural migration via constructed inland waterways and high rates of spread, survival and reproduction in these species have facilitated rapid dispersal and successful establishment of these alien species. Causes of successful establishment of these invaders and potential consequences of the invasions including extinctions of native species in rivers, lakes and estuaries of north-western Russia are discussed.

Experimental evaluation of preferences of an invasive Ponto-Caspian gammarid Pontogammarus robustoides (Amphipoda, Gammaroidea) for mineral and plant substrata

“…We identified the collected gammarids according to Konopacka (2004). The gammarids were divided into two age groups: juveniles (length \7 mm) and adults ([7 mm) according to Berezina (2007).…”

“…If chemical traits were involved in gammarid choice, we expected them to discriminate between natural and artificial plants of the same structure. Moreover, we expected differences in habitat selection between juveniles and adults, with the former being more selective, preferring relatively smaller mineral particles (due to their smaller size) and exhibiting a greater affinity for natural macrophytes (Czarnecka et al, 2010), as they feed on periphyton coating living plants while adults are more predatory (Berezina & Panov, 2003;Berezina, 2007). We also intended to check which substratum the gammarids would select when given a choice between mineral and plant substrata.…”

Geoinformation Support and Web Technologies for Problems of Hydrobiological Monitoring of Yenisei River

“…In addition, in order to enrich the food supply for fish, the Baikal amphipods were successfully settled in many ponds and lakes of the USSR [5]. Invasions of these organisms lead to significant changes in the recipient water bodies, in particular, to a decrease in species diversity and stability of aquatic ecosystems [6].…”

The impact of zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) periostracum and biofilm cues on habitat selection by a Ponto-Caspian amphipod Dikerogammarus haemobaphes

“…2 for the explanations of symbols and descriptions et al, 1990). The presence of biofilm guarantees that a submerged structure has remained in water for some time (an indication of substratum stability) and provides food for some taxa (Berezina, 2007). Therefore, animals usually prefer biofilmed surfaces (Maki et al, 1990;Tamburri et al, 1992;Wainman et al, 1996;Chen et al, 2007), though an inhibitory impact of certain biofilms on macrofoulers has also been observed (Maki et al, 1990;Kavouras & Maki, 2004).…”