Publication details
The role of zebra mussels on bitterling oviposition
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2016 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Non-native species can affect coevolved relationships. Bittering fish lay their eggs into live unionid mussels. In experiments in laboratory, semi-natural and natural conditions, we examined: a) the effect of zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) on oviposition decisions of male and female European bitterling (Rhodeus amarus) from two populations with a different level of sympatry; b) the effect of zebra mussel on bitterling reproductive success. We found that zebra mussel decreased bitterling oviposition rate into the unionid mussels in the wild and in mesocosm. There was no effect of bitterling-zebra mussel sympatry in the wild, but a stronger decrease in bitterling reproductive success with increasing zebra mussel fouling on unionid hosts in the mesocosm. Female bitterling used infected unionids only rarely. Sometimes, they oviposited into a zebra mussel, followed by a failure to develop. Female decisions were active - they inspected infected and non-infected mussels at the same rate. |