Colossal aggregations of giant alien freshwater fish as a potential biogeochemical hotspot

PLoS One. 2011;6(10):e25732. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025732. Epub 2011 Oct 5.

Abstract

The ubiquity and fascinating nature of animal aggregations are widely recognised. We report here consistent and previously undocumented occurences of aggregations of a giant alien freshwater fish, the Wels catfish (Silurus glanis). Aggregative groups were on average composed of 25 (± 10 SD, ranging from 15 to 44) adults with estimated average total biomass of 651 kg (386 - 1132) and biomass density of 23 kg m(-2) (14 - 40). Aggregations always occurred within the same location. No foraging, reproductive or anti-predator behaviour were observed during the aggregations. A mass-balance model estimated that these colossal aggregations of an alien species can locally release, through excretion only, up to 70 mg P m(-2) h(-1) and 400 mg N m(-2) h(-1), potentially representing the highest biogeochemical hotspots reported in freshwater ecosystems and another unexpected ecological effect of alien species.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal*
  • Catfishes*
  • Female
  • Fresh Water*
  • Introduced Species / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Models, Statistical
  • Population Dynamics
  • Predatory Behavior