Biodiv Sci ›› 2024, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (11): 24249.  DOI: 10.17520/biods.2024249  cstr: 32101.14.biods.2024249

• Special Feature: Biological Invasion • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The current status of invasive fish and their interrelationships with environmental factors in the middle and lower reaches of the Huadi River

Junhan Huang1,2,3, Fandong Yu2,3(), Yuxiang Wang2,3, Zhe Huang1,2,3, Mingsi Zhang2,3, Miao Fang2,3, Lu Shu2,3(), Meng Xu2,3(), Hui Wei2,3, Xuejie Wang2,3, Dang’en Gu2,3,*()(), Si Luo1,*()()   

  1. 1. School of Life Science and Food Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huai’an, Jiangsu 223003, China
    2. Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences/Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Aquatic Invasive Alien Species, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou 510380, China
    3. Key Laboratory of Alien Species and Ecological Security (CAFS), Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fisheries Science, Guangzhou 510380, China
  • Received:2024-06-21 Accepted:2024-09-27 Online:2024-11-20 Published:2024-12-23
  • Contact: E-mail: luosi@hyit.edu.cn; gudangen@163.com
  • Supported by:
    China Agriculture Research System of MOF and MARA(CARS-45);National Natural Science Foundation of China(32371746);Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou, China(202102020817);Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou, China(202201010257);Guangdong Modern Agricultural Industry Common Key Technology R&D Innovation Team Construction Project(2023KJ134);Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund, CAFS(2020TD17);Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund, CAFS(2024SJRC11)

Abstract:

Aims: This study aims to investigate the fish community structure in the middle and lower reaches of the Huadi River, Guangzhou, to assess the status of invasive fish species, and analyze the main environmental drivers affecting the distribution. The findings aim to provide scientific evidence for conservation aquatic biodiversity and ecological and restoring urban river ecosystems.

Methods: Fish resource surveys were conducted during two seasons: Summer (July-August 2023) and winter (January-February 2024). A total of 880 fish specimens were collected, encompassing 34 species from 5 orders, 10 families, and 31 genera. In summer, 482 individuals were recorded, representing 26 species from 4 orders, 7 families, and 21 genera. In winter, 398 individuals from 26 species across 5 orders, 8 families, and 23 genera were collected. The study identified species composition, assessed biodiversity, and analyzed correlations with environmental factors.

Results: The dominant species in the Huadi River throughout the year were the invasive Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and Mrigal carp (Cirrhinus mrigala). In summer, Nile tilapia accounted for a high relative importance index (IRI) of 0.84723, decreasing to 0.55796 in winter. Mrigal carp had an IRI of 0.10971 in summer and 0.14407 in winter. Biodiversity analysis revealed that the presence of Nile tilapia negatively impacted indices of diversity, and richness. Redundancy analysis (RDA) identified pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and water temperature as the key environmental factors influencing the fish community structure, collectively explaining approximately 47.84% of the observed variance. Specifically, the distribution of Nile tilapia was strongly associated with pH and water temperature, while Mrigal carp showed a close relationship with dissolved oxygen levels.

Conclusion: The results suggest that Nile tilapia and Mrigal carp have established dominance in the Huadi River, significantly threatening local fish biodiversity. Environmental factors such as pH and dissolved oxygen play a crucial role in shaping the distribution of invasive fish species. The introduction and proliferation of these species are likely related to urbanization, particularly the expansion of ornamental fisheries and alterations of water quality. To address the invasion of alien species, it is recommended to enhance monitoring and control measures, particularly for Nile tilapia and Mrigal carp in Huadi River, while implementing strategies to improve water quality to preserve ecological balance.

Key words: Huadi River, urban rivers, fish community structure, redundancy analysis, Nile tilapia, Mrigal carp