University of Canterbury Home
    • Admin
    UC Research Repository
    UC Library
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
    View Item 
    1. UC Home
    2. Library
    3. UC Research Repository
    4. Faculty of Engineering | Te Kaupeka Pūhanga
    5. Engineering: Journal Articles
    6. View Item
    1. UC Home
    2.  > 
    3. Library
    4.  > 
    5. UC Research Repository
    6.  > 
    7. Faculty of Engineering | Te Kaupeka Pūhanga
    8.  > 
    9. Engineering: Journal Articles
    10.  > 
    11. View Item

    The Nile perch invasion in Lake Victoria: cause or consequence of the haplochromine decline? (2016)

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    12657914_j055_cjfas15.pdf (3.514Mb)
    Type of Content
    Journal Article
    UC Permalink
    http://hdl.handle.net/10092/13005
    
    Publisher's DOI/URI
    https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2015-0130
    
    Publisher
    University of Canterbury. Mathematics and Statistics
    Collections
    • Engineering: Journal Articles [1536]
    Authors
    van Zwieten, P.A.M.
    Kolding, J.
    Plank, M.J.
    Hecky, R.E.
    Bridgeman, T.B.
    MacIntyre, S.
    Seehausen, O.
    Silsbe, G.M.
    show all
    Abstract

    We review alternative hypotheses and associated mechanisms to explain Lake Victoria’s Nile perch takeover and concurrent reduction in haplochromines through a (re)analysis of long term climate, limnological and stock observations in comparison with size-spectrum model predictions of co-existence, extinction and demographic change. The empirical observations are in agreement with the outcomes of the model containing two interacting species with life-histories matching Nile perch and a generalized haplochromine. The dynamic interactions may have depended on size related differences in early juvenile mortality: mouth-brooding haplochromines escape predation mortality in early life stages, unlike Nile perch that have miniscule planktonic eggs and larvae. In our model predation on the latter by planktivorous haplochromine fry act as a stabilizing factor for co-existence, but external mortality on the haplochromines would disrupt this balance in favor of Nile perch. To explain the observed switch, mortality on haplochromines would need to be much higher than the fishing mortality that can be realistically re-constructed from observations. Abrupt concomitant changes in algal and zooplankton composition, decreased water column transparency, and widespread hypoxia from increased eutrophication most likely caused haplochromine biomass decline. We hypothesize that the shift to Nile perch was a consequence of an externally caused, climate triggered, decrease in haplochromine biomass and associated recruitment failure rather than a direct cause of the introduction.

    Citation
    van Zwieten, P.A.M., Kolding, J., Plank, M.J., Hecky, R.E., Bridgeman, T.B., MacIntyre, S., Seehausen, O., Silsbe, G.M. (2016) The Nile perch invasion in Lake Victoria: cause or consequence of the haplochromine decline?. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 73, pp. 1-22.
    This citation is automatically generated and may be unreliable. Use as a guide only.
    Keywords
    Lakes; Eutrophication; Predator-prey interaction; Invasive species; Climate change
    ANZSRC Fields of Research
    31 - Biological sciences::3103 - Ecology::310304 - Freshwater ecology
    30 - Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences::3005 - Fisheries sciences::300502 - Aquaculture and fisheries stock assessment
    05 - Environmental Sciences::0501 - Ecological Applications::050101 - Ecological Impacts of Climate Change
    41 - Environmental sciences::4102 - Ecological applications::410202 - Biosecurity science and invasive species ecology
    Rights
    https://hdl.handle.net/10092/17651

    Related items

    Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

    • Interactive effects of land use, temperature, and predators determine native and invasive mosquito distributions 

      Hunt SK; Galatowitsch ML; McIntosh AR (2017)
      1. Land-use and climate change could alter the distribution of both native and exotic mosquitoes by changing abiotic and biotic characteristics of freshwater habitats. We initially studied the influence of land use on ...
    • Taking a closer look at invasive alien plant research. A review of the current state, opportunities, and future directions for UAVs 

      Dash JP; Watt MS; Paul TSH; Morgenroth J; Hartley R (Wiley, 2019)
      The development and proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in recent years presents a new data collection opportunity for invasive alien plant (IAP) research. The flexibility and cost-efficiency of these craft ...
    • Assessing Climate Change Impacts on River Flows in the Tonle Sap Lake Basin, Cambodia 

      Oeurng C; Cochrane T; Chung S; Kondolf M; Piman T; Arias M (MDPI AG, 2019)
      The Tonle Sap is the most fertile and diverse freshwater ecosystem in Southeast Asia, receiving nurturing water flows from the Mekong and its immediate basin. In addition to rapid development in the Tonle Sap basin, climate ...
    Advanced Search

    Browse

    All of the RepositoryCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThesis DisciplineThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThesis Discipline

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics
    • SUBMISSIONS
    • Research Outputs
    • UC Theses
    • CONTACTS
    • Send Feedback
    • +64 3 369 3853
    • ucresearchrepository@canterbury.ac.nz
    • ABOUT
    • UC Research Repository Guide
    • Copyright and Disclaimer
    • SUBMISSIONS
    • Research Outputs
    • UC Theses
    • CONTACTS
    • Send Feedback
    • +64 3 369 3853
    • ucresearchrepository@canterbury.ac.nz
    • ABOUT
    • UC Research Repository Guide
    • Copyright and Disclaimer