Title

Behavioral Constraints For The Spread Of The Eastern Mosquitofish, Gambusia Holbrooki (Poeciliidae)

Keywords

Dispersal; Habitat; Invasive; Leaf litter; Sex; Water depth

Abstract

Eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) are native to the southeastern United States but notoriously invasive elsewhere, and are aggressive predators in ecosystems they inhabit. Information on dispersal behavior is needed to better understand mosquitofish spread upon introduction and potential means to mitigate that spread. We experimentally tested the effects of shallow water depths (3-24 mm) and obstacles (leaf litter) on mosquitofish dispersal behavior, plus a range of conditions relevant to field situations. Mosquitofish dispersed significantly faster in deeper water (p < 0.001) but some dispersed in only 3 mm water depth (i.e., one-half average body depth). Wetland and upland leaf litter at natural densities strongly interfered with mosquitofish dispersal behavior. Based on our results, introduced mosquitofish spread rapidly given unimpeded dispersal corridors (e.g., mowed ditches), and may do so at rates >800 m/day. Also, consistent lack of sexual dimorphism in dispersal behavior indicates that mosquitofish spread is not strongly dependent on female poeciliid reproductive biology. Our results support designation of mosquitofish as highly invasive and suggest that barriers to mosquitofish spread must obstruct dispersal pathways as shallow as 3 mm depth. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.

Publication Date

1-1-2008

Publication Title

Biological Invasions

Volume

10

Issue

1

Number of Pages

59-66

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-007-9109-x

Socpus ID

38349129847 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/38349129847

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