engleski

Alien freshwater crustaceans (Peracarida: Malacostraca) in Croatia – checklist, distribution and preliminary impact assessment

Peracarid crustaceans (Amphipoda, Isopoda, Mysida) are one of the most successful group of invertebrate invaders in inland waters. However, little is known about this group in Croatian freshwaters. Based on extensive studies conducted from 2004 to 2015 in five large rivers of Croatia, the aim of this work is to present checklist, distribution and rates of spread of alien peracarid crustaceans as well as preliminary impact assessment. Their contribution to abundance and richness biocontamination of macroinvertebrate assemblages was also assessed. Altogether, 11 alien species, including six invasive, were recorded (8 Amphipoda, 1 Isopoda, 2 Mysida). Danube has the highest number of recorded species (9), followed by Drava and Sava with six species, and Mura and Kupa with only one species. The invasive amphipods Chelicorophium curvispinum and Dikerogammarus villosus and the isopod Jaera istri have the most widespread distribution. Three new species of Amphipoda were found and their distribution was mapped. Peracarida contribution to abundance contamination of benthic macroinvertebrates widely varied (0.3-89.5%, sites without aliens were not considered) and the highest levels were between 70- 90% (Danube-1 site, Sava-2, Drava-4). Richness contamination (5.7-47.4%) reached the highest value in Danube (47.4%), while it was around 20% in Middle Sava, and increased downstream (5.7-30.0%) in Drava. These data represent baseline for future studies, which should examine further spread and impact of the most important crustacean invaders of freshwaters in Croatia.

invasive, Amphipoda, Isopoda, Mysida, biocontamination

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