The impact of introduced Ponto-Caspian mysids (Paramysis lacustris) on the trophic position of perch (Perca fluviatilis) in European mesotrophic lakes

Abstract

Paramysis lacustris was introduced into Lithuanian lakes in the middle of the 20th century. It was assumed that P. lacustris will enhance efficiency of primary production utilization and channelling of primary production towards higher trophic levels, i.e. commercially important fish species. However, at the time of P. lacustris introduction, there were no reliable data about its trophic position in lakes. Thus, P. lacustris was considered to have no or little impact on native ecosystems. Until now, there is a gap in the knowledge of the trophic role and potential impacts of P. lacustris on local food webs in lakes. Here we investigated the impact of P. lacustris on the food chain length of its potential predator Perca fluviatilis in temperate lakes. In this study, gut contents and stable isotope analyses were performed to assess the diet and trophic position of P. lacustris and P. fluviatilis in lakes with and without invasive mysids. The results obtained revealed that P. lacustris consumes a significant amount of animal prey and occupies the third trophic level in lake littoral zones. Furthermore, our results showed that P. lacustris might enhance the food chain length for at least some zooplanktivorous fishes. Overall, the assumption that P. lacustris invasion has no whole-ecosystem consequences, as it was thought before its introduction, is not correct.