Characterization of the reproductive strategy of invasive Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in the Upper Danube River

Abstract Originating from the Black and Caspian seas, the Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) has become one of the most successful invaders of freshwater ecosystems. In this study, we provide a characterization of the reproductive strategy of an established population of Round Gobies in the Upper D...

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Main Authors: Melina Klarl, Joachim Pander, Juergen Geist
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-10-01
Series:Ecology and Evolution
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70349
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author Melina Klarl
Joachim Pander
Juergen Geist
author_facet Melina Klarl
Joachim Pander
Juergen Geist
author_sort Melina Klarl
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Originating from the Black and Caspian seas, the Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) has become one of the most successful invaders of freshwater ecosystems. In this study, we provide a characterization of the reproductive strategy of an established population of Round Gobies in the Upper Danube river including sex ratio, fluctuations of gonadosomatic index (GSI), analysis of timing of spawning as well as of clutch and egg size. We compare these results to other studies from the native and invaded range. In the Danube, the Round Goby population was found to be female dominated, however fluctuations in magnitude of female bias were observed between months. Monitoring of the population across 1.5 years revealed that GSI was highest from April to June, while lowest values were observed in August and September. Using time‐series analysis, a delayed effect of temperature on GSI was found for females and males, while a quicker response of GSI levels to photoperiod and discharge was observed for females. GSI increased with body size for females and eggs were found to be significantly larger in May, however clutch sizes did not differ between months. Results of a literature review revealed great differences in timing and length of spawning season as well as sex ratio between populations throughout the distribution range, which can probably be explained by climatic and photoperiodic conditions together with the time since invasion and the high plasticity of Round Gobies.
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spelling doaj-art-715df6bd810d43bd86f6ad8afef942bf2025-08-20T02:52:37ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582024-10-011410n/an/a10.1002/ece3.70349Characterization of the reproductive strategy of invasive Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in the Upper Danube RiverMelina Klarl0Joachim Pander1Juergen Geist2Aquatic Systems Biology Unit, TUM School of Life Sciences Technical University of Munich Freising GermanyAquatic Systems Biology Unit, TUM School of Life Sciences Technical University of Munich Freising GermanyAquatic Systems Biology Unit, TUM School of Life Sciences Technical University of Munich Freising GermanyAbstract Originating from the Black and Caspian seas, the Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) has become one of the most successful invaders of freshwater ecosystems. In this study, we provide a characterization of the reproductive strategy of an established population of Round Gobies in the Upper Danube river including sex ratio, fluctuations of gonadosomatic index (GSI), analysis of timing of spawning as well as of clutch and egg size. We compare these results to other studies from the native and invaded range. In the Danube, the Round Goby population was found to be female dominated, however fluctuations in magnitude of female bias were observed between months. Monitoring of the population across 1.5 years revealed that GSI was highest from April to June, while lowest values were observed in August and September. Using time‐series analysis, a delayed effect of temperature on GSI was found for females and males, while a quicker response of GSI levels to photoperiod and discharge was observed for females. GSI increased with body size for females and eggs were found to be significantly larger in May, however clutch sizes did not differ between months. Results of a literature review revealed great differences in timing and length of spawning season as well as sex ratio between populations throughout the distribution range, which can probably be explained by climatic and photoperiodic conditions together with the time since invasion and the high plasticity of Round Gobies.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70349gonadosomatic indexinvasive species managementreproductive strategyRound Gobyspawning seasontime‐series analysis
spellingShingle Melina Klarl
Joachim Pander
Juergen Geist
Characterization of the reproductive strategy of invasive Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in the Upper Danube River
Ecology and Evolution
gonadosomatic index
invasive species management
reproductive strategy
Round Goby
spawning season
time‐series analysis
title Characterization of the reproductive strategy of invasive Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in the Upper Danube River
title_full Characterization of the reproductive strategy of invasive Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in the Upper Danube River
title_fullStr Characterization of the reproductive strategy of invasive Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in the Upper Danube River
title_full_unstemmed Characterization of the reproductive strategy of invasive Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in the Upper Danube River
title_short Characterization of the reproductive strategy of invasive Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in the Upper Danube River
title_sort characterization of the reproductive strategy of invasive round goby neogobius melanostomus in the upper danube river
topic gonadosomatic index
invasive species management
reproductive strategy
Round Goby
spawning season
time‐series analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70349
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