Invasive fishes generate biogeochemical hotspots in a nutrient-limited system

PLoS One. 2013;8(1):e54093. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054093. Epub 2013 Jan 16.

Abstract

Fishes can play important functional roles in the nutrient dynamics of freshwater systems. Aggregating fishes have the potential to generate areas of increased biogeochemical activity, or hotspots, in streams and rivers. Many of the studies documenting the functional role of fishes in nutrient dynamics have focused on native fish species; however, introduced fishes may restructure nutrient storage and cycling freshwater systems as they can attain high population densities in novel environments. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a non-native catfish (Loricariidae: Pterygoplichthys) on nitrogen and phosphorus remineralization and estimate whether large aggregations of these fish generate measurable biogeochemical hotspots within nutrient-limited ecosystems. Loricariids formed large aggregations during daylight hours and dispersed throughout the stream during evening hours to graze benthic habitats. Excretion rates of phosphorus were twice as great during nighttime hours when fishes were actively feeding; however, there was no diel pattern in nitrogen excretion rates. Our results indicate that spatially heterogeneous aggregations of loricariids can significantly elevate dissolved nutrient concentrations via excretion relative to ambient nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations during daylight hours, creating biogeochemical hotspots and potentially altering nutrient dynamics in invaded systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Catfishes / physiology
  • Ecosystem*
  • Fishes
  • Fresh Water
  • Nitrogen
  • Phosphorus

Substances

  • Phosphorus
  • Nitrogen

Grants and funding

This work was funded by the National Science Foundation (Doctoral Dissertation Enhancement Program Grant (183-8371); Integrated Graduate Education and Research in Biogeochemistry and Environmental Biocomplexity (0221658) Small Grant Program), the Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program, Sigma Xi, the Tinker Field Research Grant, the Andrew and Margaret Paul Graduate Fellowship in the Life Sciences, and the American Cichlid Association Paul V. Loiselle Conservation Fund. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.