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Does rainbow trout justify its high rank among alien invasive species? Insights from a nationwide survey in Greece
Author(s) -
Koutsikos Nicholas,
Vardakas Leonidas,
Zogaris Stamatis,
Perdikaris Costas,
Kalantzi OlgaIoanna,
Economou Alcibiades N.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
aquatic conservation: marine and freshwater ecosystems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.95
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1099-0755
pISSN - 1052-7613
DOI - 10.1002/aqc.3025
Subject(s) - rainbow trout , biology , salmo , trout , intraspecific competition , ecology , zoology , alien , population , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , demography , sociology , census
Rainbow trout is ranked as one of the world's worst alien invasive species; in Europe, however, the extent of established populations remains localized and poorly reported. This study aims to assess rainbow trout establishment in Greece and explores the factors affecting the success or failure of establishment. Fish samples and site‐specific environmental attributes collected during the past 17 years (2001–2017) were analysed. All available literature on the distribution patterns of rainbow trout were reviewed in parallel to those of the Greek native Salmo trout species and demographic criteria were applied to infer potential establishment. Data indicating poor persistence of populations and population structure support the argument that recruitment of rainbow trout is extremely limited in Greece. Lack of suitable environmental conditions is not the main factor leading to the failure of rainbow trout to become established. Genetic factors affecting reproduction, possibly through a combination of outbreeding depression resulting from the admixture of unrelated intraspecific lineages, and maladaptive behaviour resulting from domestication in captivity, remain probable causes of poor establishment for the Greek populations of rainbow trout. Overall, the threat of rainbow trout as a highly invasive species in Greece is lower than suggested by recent risk assessments.