Behavioural responses of invasive (Gmelinoides faciatus) and native (Gammarus lacustris) amphipods to predators on different bottom substrates : [poster]

Abstract

The amphipod Gmelinoides fasciatus has invaded and established in numerous large lakes in Eurasia and, in the process, has displaced the native amphipod, Gammarus lacustris. In Lake Peipsi, G. fasciatus dominates the shoreline macroinvertebrate fauna, forming up to 99% of macroinvertebrate individuals (Fig. 1). The mechanism behind its invasion success is unclear and remains an important topic for invasion ecology. In order to determine if different bottom substrates and predator avoidance behaviour contribute to the invasion success of G. fasciatus we conducted two laboratory experiments.

We would like to thank Dr. Henn Timm for assistance in the field and conceptualising ideas. This project was financed by the Estonian Environmental Investment Centre (project number 16442) and by Estonian University of Life Sciences (project number P190254PKKH). This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 951963. All work was carried out in the Centre for Limnology station of the Estonian University of Life Sciences.