Population and reproductive characteristics of a non-native western tubenose goby (Proterorhinus semilunaris) population unaffected by gobiid competitors

Zdenka Valová,Pavel Jurajda,Markéta Konečná,Michal Janáč

doi:10.3391/ai.2015.10.1.06

Abstract

The western tubenose goby ( Proterorhinus semilunaris) is one of several Ponto-Caspian gobiid species currently extending their distribution range over Europe. As part of an ongoing study, we examined the annual dynamics of an established tubenose goby population from the River Dyje (Czech Republic, Danube basin), 13 years after its first occurrence. Monthly monitoring (February 2011-January 2012) confirmed that the species dominates the local fish assemblage (more than two thirds of fish caught) and is the only species captured every month. The population is female-dominated from March-August and displays a 1:1 sex-ratio from September on. Tubenose gobies in the Dyje are characterised by rapid reproduction and early maturation, with all 0+ fish ready to spawn at the start of the next spawning season. Females display significantly higher GSI but lower body condition and a shorter life-span than males. Female life-span was almost strictly annual, while males were more likely to survive to a second spawning season. This study is unique in presenting results for a tubenose goby population with long-term absence of other potentially competing gobiid species. These results provide new baseline data for future tubenose goby studies in areas both with and without competitors.

Highlights

The western tubenose goby Proterorhinus semilunaris (Heckel, 1837) is a small, benthic, Ponto-Caspian fish species of the family Gobiidae (Pinchuk et al 2003), native to the Black Sea basin
Thirteen years after first being recorded, the tubenose goby has established an abundant population in the River Dyje and represents an important component of the littoral fish assemblage
The dominant position of tubenose goby in the littoral fish assemblage of the Dyje is unique among previous reports on their occurrence, which always report low density, patchy distribution and a relatively low representation in the fish assemblage

Summary

Introduction

The western tubenose goby (hereafter tubenose goby) Proterorhinus semilunaris (Heckel, 1837) is a small, benthic, Ponto-Caspian fish species of the family Gobiidae (Pinchuk et al 2003), native to the Black Sea basin. In recent decades, this and other gobiid species have invaded new regions, their expansion probably facilitated and accelerated by transport in ballast water and possible transport of eggs on ship’s hulls, as well as accidental stocking with other fish species and release of bait fish (Lusk and Hanel 1996; Roche et al 2013). In addition to its expansion in Europe (e.g. Borcherding et al 2011; Cammaerts et al 2012; Manné et al 2013; Roche et al 2013) the tubenose goby has been introduced into the Laurentian Great Lakes (Ricciardi and MacIsaac 2000; Kocovsky et al 2011; Grant et al 2012)

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