Comparison of parasite fauna and fish condition between native and non-native population of round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in the Danube River
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| Year of publication | 2007 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
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| Description | Research was carried out in native area of goby distribution (Danube in Bulgaria) and areas of its introduction (Danube in Slovakia and Austria). In 393 specimens of round goby collected at all Danube localities, a total of 31 species of metazoan parasites were found. Presence of 12 parasite species was recorded in the native area of goby distribution as well as in the areas of introduction. Nevertheless, introduction of parasite species non-native for the Slovak and Austrian sections of the Danube River together with round goby was not observed. Instead, introduced round goby has been infected with 9 new parasite species that are not known in its native population. Parasite species diversity was higher in introduced goby populations compared to native populations. Parasite abundance did not significantly differ between native and introduced populations. Better condition was found in the introduced fish. However, no relationship between condition index values and parasite abundance was observed. Therefore, parasitism is not considered to be a significant factor affecting condition status and expansion of introduced round goby. |
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