Spatial distribution and substrate preferences of the non-indigenous amphipod Gammarus roeselii Gervais, 1835
Daniele Paganelli A B , Alessandra Pandolfi A , Renato Sconfietti A and Agnese Marchini A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via S. Epifanio 14, I-27100 Pavia, Italy.
B Corresponding author. Email: daniele.paganelli@unipv.it
Marine and Freshwater Research 71(7) 723-728 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF19193
Submitted: 25 May 2019 Accepted: 29 July 2019 Published: 22 October 2019
Abstract
Gammarus roeselii is one of the successful non-indigenous species recently established in the Ticino River basin (Northern Italy). G. roeselii is not usually considered to be a real threat to native gammarids because no evidence has been reported so far on its effects on biodiversity and habitats. In this study, we assessed the spatial distribution of G. roeselii in the secondary hydrographic system of the southern part of the sub-lacustrine Ticino River basin and examined substrate preferences on the basis of laboratory experiments. We found that G. roeselii is well established in this area, occurring in almost all the seminatural streams, reaching high densities. Furthermore, we found that this species has a preference for two distinct types of substrate: empty shells of the bivalve Corbicula fluminea, which provide a suitable shelter for the introduced amphipod, and aquatic plants, which provide food resources. Conversely, preference for inorganic substrates, such as stones, was lower. In addition, the results indicate that G. roeselii easily inhabits the water column. The high adaptability of G. roeselii, combined with its capacity to exploit different niches and its swimming ability, are ecological characteristics that can favour its colonisation of new areas.
Additional keywords: freshwater, habitat selection, non-native species, Ponto-Caspian amphipods, Ticino River.
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