Koktejl invazivních druhů ve vnitrozemských vodách - ekologická charakteristika, vzájemné působení a následky

This thesis combines four main chapters: 1) a general summary of the current knowledge of the impact of aquatic invasive species in Europe, ecological characteristics, main representatives, their interaction and the consequences of spread; 2-3) two studies addressing mutual species impacts between invaders co-occurring together in the same habitat; and 4) investigating the differences between the behaviour of native and alien fish species. Chapter 1 looks at the theoretical concept and impacts of aquatic invasive species and in particular, four chosen groups of invaders with a review on specifically chosen high-profile aquatic invasive species in freshwaters, their associated impacts and detailed descriptions of the species used in experiments. Chapter 2 focuses on the predatory impact of killer shrimp on the early developmental stages of marbled and signal crayfish, concluding that killer shrimp are almost unstoppable. They were able to feed on different developmental stages of larger freshwater crustaceans even if they were protected by their mothers. Chapter 3 observes the interactions of two invaders: the round goby and the marbled crayfish. The round goby showed dominant aggressiveness consuming all the juvenile crayfish sizes offered. The study also confirmed that the round goby was able to predate on, attack and take shelters from crayfishes. The only limiting factor in this interaction was the larger size of the crayfish. When interacting, both tested species negatively influenced each other, which can mean mutual consequences for both species. In Chapter 4, the individual behaviour during day and night activity under laboratory conditions in a flow simulator was studied. Both species showed very similar behaviour, with only slight differences towards adaptability and stress-related activity. Despite the similarities, the round goby was confirmed to be an aggressive, bottom-dwelling predator sharing a habitat with a lot of other benthic animals like amphipods, crayfish, and other fish - native or other aliens. In general, all alien species are present a threat to all populations sharing similar characteristics in their habitat, taking their shelters, attacking them, and predating on them with invasive amphipods and crayfish being no exception. One species can limit the other, or the outcompeted species can be displaced forcing it to find an alternative niche and therefore increase the overall pressure on the ecosystem. The presented thesis is submitting some new findings mainly about the interactions between invaders and also represents a baseline for future experimental work focused on more complex setups that will enable us to increase our understanding of invasive species