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Assessing the impacts of the introduced channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus using the comparative functional response approach
Author(s) -
Faria Larissa,
Alexander Mhairi E.,
Vitule Jean R. S.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
fisheries management and ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1365-2400
pISSN - 0969-997X
DOI - 10.1111/fme.12353
Subject(s) - ictalurus , catfish , fishery , biology , predation , introduced species , endangered species , ictaluridae , abundance (ecology) , invasive species , aquaculture , relative species abundance , fish <actinopterygii> , ecology , zoology , habitat
In the metric “Relative Impact Potential” ( RIP ), the functional response ( FR ) of a non‐native species can be compared with that of a native analogue and combined with the species abundance to predict its environmental impact. Here, using the River Guaraguaçu (Brazil) as a case study, this methodology was implemented to identify the impacts of the non‐native channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque) compared with a native species Rhamdia quelen (Quoy & Gaimard) towards small prey fish. Both species exhibited Type II FR s, but handling times were lower for I. punctatus , resulting in a greater maximum feeding rate in this species. Consequently, an RIP > 1 was found, indicating that I. punctatus represents a superior impact to prey compared with its native analogue. These results demonstrate that I. punctatus is a potential threat to small endangered fish species; therefore, policies to avoid escapes from aquaculture should be created and the abundance of I. punctatus controlled.