Seasonal effects on health status and parasitological traits of an invasive minnow in Iberian waters

Almeida, David; Alcaraz-Hernández, Juan Diego; Cruz, Alejandra; Lantero, Esther; Fletcher, David H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5029-7453; García-Berthou, Emili. 2024 Seasonal effects on health status and parasitological traits of an invasive minnow in Iberian waters [in special issue: Fish parasitology: ecology, risk assessment and environmental implications] Animals, 14 (10), 1502. 11, pp. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14101502

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani14101502

Abstract/Summary

Biological invasions are of special conservation concern in the Iberian Peninsula and other regions with high levels of endemism. Environmental variability, such as the seasonal fluctuations of Mediterranean streams, is a key factor that affects the spread of aquatic species in novel habitats. Fish parasites have a great potential to reflect such changes in the habitat features of freshwater ecosystems. The aim of this study consisted of seasonally analysing the health status and parasitological traits of non-native fish in Iberian waters. In particular, a strongly invasive population of Languedoc minnow Phoxinus septimaniae (leuciscid species native to south-east France) was assessed in Tordera Stream (north-eastern Iberian Peninsula, Mediterranean conditions). Fish were sampled in April, July, and October 2023 by electrofishing. Health status (external/internal organs) was significantly better in autumn (HAI = 28.8) than spring (HAI = 35.6). Life-cycle complexity was higher in spring (LCI = 1.98), whereas parasite abundance and Shannon diversity were significantly lower in autumn (TA = 19.6 and H’ = 2.15, respectively). In October (more ‘benign’ environmental conditions in Iberian streams), minnows could display elevated foraging activity, with fish increasing their health condition and level of parasite resistance/tolerance. Overall results showed a particular seasonal profile of health and parasite infra-communities that allow this minnow species to thrive under highly fluctuating habitat conditions. This information could help environmental managers to control non-native fish in Mediterranean streams.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14101502
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Soils and Land Use (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	2076-2615
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	fluvial ecosystem, life-cycle complexity, Mediterranean stream, non-native fish, parasite abundance, parasite diversity
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Data and Information
Date made live:	30 May 2024 09:06 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/537496

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14101502

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Soils and Land Use (Science Area 2017-)

ISSN:

2076-2615

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

Additional Keywords:

fluvial ecosystem, life-cycle complexity, Mediterranean stream, non-native fish, parasite abundance, parasite diversity