Growth, feeding, and reproduction capabilities of the Northern Pike ( Esox lucius) as an invasive species in the Zrebar Lake, Marivan, Kurdistan Province
Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.
10.22059/jne.2024.382361.2712
Abstract
The growth, feeding, and reproductive biology of the non-native Northern Pike (Esox lucius) were evaluated over a one-year period from January 2020 to December 2020 in order to find evidence on the invasive nature of this species in Zrebar Lake, Marivan. Specimens were categorized into four age classes (2 to 5 years), with the highest number observed in the 3-year-old age class. The length-weight relationship indicated isometric growth for the population. Mean gonadosomatic indices were significantly higher in February compared to other months for both sexes (P<0.05). The monthly distributions of gonad maturation stages revealed that most specimens reached the fifth stage (spawning) of gonad maturity from December to February. Mean absolute fecundity and relative fecundity were 13139±1.163 eggs per fish and 20.37±1.67 eggs per gram of body weight, respectively. The most consumed food items were Carassius sp., Rana sp., Squalius sp., Alburnus sp., and Pseudorasbora parva. The highest gastro-somatic index and lowest vacuity index were observed in spring. The results indicate that the Northern Pike population in Zrebar Lake can feed, grow, and reproduce similarly to natural populations in other regions. The continued presence of this species in Zrebar Lake and its spread to the Sirvan River and Tigris Basin suggest that the Northern Pike is not only in the establishment phase but has also reached the expansion phase as an invasive species.
Keywords
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