Publication Abstract

Autumnal habitat use of non-native pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus and associations with native fish species in small English streams

Autumnal habitat use of non-native pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus and associations with native fish species in small English streams

M. Klaar, G.H. Copp and R. Horsfield

Habitat use of pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus in small European streams has received little study despite the species’ potential associations to native fauna, in particular species of conservation and angling amenity, e.g. brown trout Salmo trutta, brook lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis, European bullhead Cottus gobio. We examined body size, relative body condition, habitat use and species-species associations of pumpkinseed with accompanying fishes in two small streams in southern England during August 2001. Pumpkinseed body condition decreased with pumpkinseed density; the latter correlated with % clay and % riparian grasses in fish < 63 mm FL, with % riparian shrubs in fish 83-92 mm FL and with water depth in fish > 92 mm FL. Most pumpkinseed size classes occurred more often than expected in stretches with conspecifics and with brown trout >300 mm FL; densities of the latter did not correlate with any habitat variables. Indeed, correlations between trout densities and habitat variables were observed mainly in smaller size classes. Habitat associations in other species corresponded to known levels of rheophily; substratum, channel slope, channel width and riparian trees were also important habitat variables. Discussed are possible implications for pumpkinseed dispersal and establishment under conditions of climatic change, which could have ecological and management ramifications and thus requires further investigation.

Reference:

M. Klaar, G.H. Copp and R. Horsfield (2004) Autumnal habitat use of non-native pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus and associations with native fish species in small English streams. Folia Zoologica, 53(2): 189-202

M. Klaar, G.H. Copp* and R. Horsfield

Folia Zoologica , 53(2): 189–202