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7571290 
Journal Article 
Ontogenetic variations in the diet of two invasive gobies, Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814) and Ponticola kessleri (Guenther, 1861), from the middle Danube (Slovakia) with notice on their potential impact on benthic invertebrate communities 
Stevove, B; Kovac, V 
2016 
1 
Science of the Total Environment
ISSN: 0048-9697
EISSN: 1879-1026 
557 
510-519 
English 
In this study, ontogenetic variations in diet of invasive bighead goby Ponticola kessleri and round goby Neogobius melanostomus from the middle Danube were analysed. Index of stomach fullness, Fulton's condition factor, index of food importance, frequency of occurrence, biomass, electivity, and proportions of invasive organisms in their diet were examined. Changes in the diet during ontogeny of both species emphasise the differences in their trophic niches. Our results combined with literary data suggest that bighead goby may threaten small native benthic fish species as a predator (especially in the invasion front), whereas round goby can potentially impact native fish species of all ontogenetic phases by competing for food. Round goby appear to have strong impact on bivalves, especially in the invasion front. High consumption of invasive organisms by bighead goby may help the native macroinvertebrate community. Thus, in contrast to round goby, bighead goby does not seem to be a hot candidate for being a nuisance invader. 
Environment Abstracts; Biological invasions; Ponto-Caspian gobies; Feeding ecology; Native communities; Invasion front; Neogobius melanostomus; Bivalves; Biomass; Slovakia, Danube R.; Predators; Ponticola kessleri; Slovakia; Invertebrates; Invertebrata; Invasions; ENA 21:Wildlife