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Long-term assessment of the effect of introduced predatory fish on minnow diversity in a regional protected area.
- Source :
-
Canadian Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences . Nov2012, Vol. 69 Issue 11, p1798-1805. 8p. 3 Charts, 2 Graphs, 1 Map. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Introduced piscivorous fishes had a dramatic impact on small-bodied fish species diversity of small temperate lakes in Gatineau Park, Quebec, Canada, on the basis of three surveys carried out over a 38-year period from 1970 to 2007. For three overlapping sets of lakes based on different combinations of survey years (lakes surveyed in 1970-1971, 1991-1992, and 2006-2007 ( N = 14); lakes surveyed in 1970-1971 and 2006-2007 ( N = 21); and lakes surveyed in 1991-1992 and 2006-2007 ( N = 16)), those with introduced piscivores showed substantial and consistent temporal declines in average minnow species richness but much weaker, if any, declines in total species richness. By contrast, lakes without introduced piscivores showed no such decline. Whereas lakes without piscivores showed a strong species-elevation relationship early in the record, the strength of this relationship was much lower in lakes with introduced piscivores. Moreover, the strength of the species-elevation relationship declined precipitously over time in lakes with introduced piscivores, but remained stable in lakes where introduced piscivores were absent. The negative impact of piscivore introductions on small-bodied fish biodiversity in small lakes underscores the importance of action to mitigate the risk of future introductions or invasions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *PREDATORS of fishes
*PISCIVOROUS fishes
*MINNOWS
*PISCIVORES
*FISH diversity
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0706652X
- Volume :
- 69
- Issue :
- 11
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Canadian Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 84551088
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1139/f2012-105