Frederic Casals

Universitat de Lleida | UDL · Department of Animal Science

We reviewed information on Iberian freshwater fish to characterize their migratory status and identify migration reasons and periods. Most species migrate (87.3 %; 62 species from 15 families). A large number are potamodromous species (45 species from 6 families) but diadromous species (17 species from 11 families) also exist, including anadromous...

Ordeix and Casals, 2024. Why and when do freshwater fish migrate? Observations of migration patterns of the native fishes from the Iberian Peninsula (SW Europe). Limnetica 42-2, 2023 Supplementary Material References (only cited in tables and figures)

It is globally recognized that freshwater anglers can have a decisive role in promoting fish introductions. The aim of this study was to analyze freshwater anglers’ actions and perceptions regarding fish introductions, comparing two distinct situations, one with recently arrived non-natives fishes and another with older fish introductions, using th...

Aquatic ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to the introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS), leading to multi-faceted ecological, economic and health impacts worldwide. The Iberian Peninsula comprises an exceptionally biodiverse Mediterranean region with a high number of threatened and endemic aquatic species, most of them strongly impacted...

The authors regret that the printed version of the above article contained an incomplete version of Table 1, in which only 20 invasive alien species were published out of the top-ranked 24 that should have been. The correct Table 1 is shown below. The authors apologise for any inconvenience caused.

As the number of introduced species keeps increasing unabatedly, identifying and prioritising current and potential Invasive Alien Species (IAS) has become essential to manage them. Horizon Scanning (HS), defined as an exploration of potential threats, is considered a fundamental component of IAS management. By combining scientific knowledge on tax...

An important goal of LIFE INVASAQUA is to develop tools that will improve management and increase the efficiency of the Early Warning and Rapid Response (EWRR) framework for Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in the Iberian Peninsula. Horizon scanning for high risk IAS is basic when implementing measures to reduce new invasions and to focus efforts on th...

Trends and ecological consequences of phosphorus (P) decline and increasing nitrogen (N) to phosphorus (N:P) ratios in rivers and estuaries are reviewed and discussed. Results suggest that re‐oligotrophication is a dominant trend in rivers and estuaries of high‐income countries in the last two‐three decades, while in low‐income countries widespread...

Freshwater systems are among the most threatened ecosystems worldwide, and fish species inhabiting them are increasingly endangered by different pressures. One of the most important tools in the European Union (EU) to halt this decline is the Natura 2000 network (N2000). The Habitat Directive (HD) includes freshwater habitats and 39 native fish spe...

Gillnet selectivity is poorly understood for most freshwater fish species, particularly for invasive alien species. However, their use to determine mesh selectivity could be essential for establishing management measures, such as the selective removal of exotic invasive species. This study aims to the assess size selectivity of exotic invasive spec...

We provide a unique fish individual body size dataset collected from our own sampling and public sources in north-eastern Spain. The dataset includes individual body size measures (fork length and mass) of 12,288 individuals of 24 fish species within 10 families collected at 118 locations in large rivers and small streams. Fish were caught by one-p...

The stress-gradient hypothesis predicts that biotic interactions within food webs are context dependent, since environmental stressors can attenuate consumer–prey interactions. Yet, how heavy metal pollution influences the impacts of predatory fish on ecosystem structure is unknown. This study was conducted in the Osor stream (Spain), which feature...

Código de conduta para aquariofilia. Documento técnico preparado por LIFE INVASAQUA (LIFE17 GIE/ES/000515).

Se presenta una lista actualizada de las especies exóticas que se encuentran en etapa de establecimiento o de propagación de la invasión en aguas continentales de la península ibérica. La lista está basada en la evaluación sistemática de los datos en colaboración con un amplio equipo de expertos de España y Portugal. Esta lista de actualización es...

An updated list is presented of the alien species in the establishment or spread invasion stage in in-land waters at the Iberian Peninsula. The list is based on a systematic assessment of information in collaboration with a wide expert team from Spain and Portugal. This updated list is an important tool supporting the implementation of the IAS Regu...

An updated list is presented of the alien species in the transport or introduction invasion stage in inland waters of the Iberian Peninsula. The list is based on a systematic assessment of information in collaboration with a wide expert team from Spain and Portugal. This list is an important tool to support the implementation of the IAS Regulation,...

Rivers are among the most biodiverse and endangered ecosystems on earth. In Europe, concern over their conservation promoted the development of legal instruments for habitat and species conservation, the Habitats Directive, and water resource management, the Water Framework Directive. This legal protection demanded the estimate of river ecosystem s...

El comercio electrónico, la actividad de comprar o vender productos en servicios on-line o por internet, es una parte vital y creciente de la economía global. Esta actividad incluye la comercialización y venta de animales y plantas, incluidas especies exóticas, y en ocasiones, también especies invasoras a pesar de su prohibición. Adquirir estas esp...

Els medis aquàtics continentals estan sotmesos a alteracions en la quantitat i qualitat de l’aigua, la morfologia de les riberes i la composició de les comunitats biològiques. Malgrat la millora recent en la qualitat general dels ecosistemes aquàtics, aquests es troben en un estat de conservació desfavorable, i bona part de les espècies que hi...

This guide is available at: http://www.lifeinvasaqua.com/main-files/uploads/2020/11/LIBRO-ESPECIES-INVASORAS-INGLES-FINAL.pdf

This field guide is available on: http://www.lifeinvasaqua.com/main-files/uploads/2020/07/LIBRO-ESPECIES-INVASORAS-ESPA%C3%91OL-WEB-1.pdf

This field guide is available on: http://www.lifeinvasaqua.com/main-files/uploads/2020/07/LIBRO-ESPECIES-INVASORAS-ESPA%C3%91OL-WEB-1.pdf

Freshwater ecosystems are affected by multiple anthropogenic stressors, and their effects on aquatic communities is a current interest for ecologists. Moreover, freshwaters are experiencing the loss of fish. This study was conducted in Osor stream (Iberian Peninsula), which is affected by metal pollution and water diversion. Following a hydrologica...

Length–weight relationships (LWRs), condition factors, and their variation over time were analyzed for four exotic freshwater fish (bleak, common carp, pikeperch, and roach) in the Estany d’Ivars i Vila-sana shallow lake in Catalonia, Northern Spain. Fish samples were collected twice a year (early summer and autumn), between 2008 and 2016, by using...

Fisheries research, stock assessment and management often require the evaluation of ichthyological community composition and the evolution its structure across different spatial and temporal units. The use of gillnet to study freshwater fish populations in lenitic ecosystems is widely extended. But one of the most important applications is based on...

The analysis of length–weight relationships (LWRs) is a useful tool extensively used in fisheries research and management. LWRs can be modified by environmental conditions or developmental state of the fish, becoming a tool to evaluate fish condition. LWRs and their evolution over time were analysed for four exotic freshwater fish (bleak, common ca...

Flow regimes are important drivers of both stream community and biogeochemical processes. However, the interplay between community and biogeochemical responses under different flow regimes in streams is less understood. In this study, we investigated the structural and functional responses of periphyton and macroinvertebrates to different densities...

We’ve been monitoring the restored shallow Estany d’Ivars i Vila-sana during 9 years (2008-2016) sampling twice a year (spring/early summer and autumn) with multimesh gillnets. In total, 4619 fishes were captured belonging to 9 species

The combined effects of temperature and seawater acidification were investigated across larval stages of the European flat oyster Ostrea edulis, from veliger sizes released by gravid individuals to spat. Simultaneous experiments were also conducted to investigate the potential effects of reduced pH levels on bacterial growth that could provide a mo...

Freshwater ecosystems are among the most affected by anthropogenic disturbances, and fish have several advantages for monitoring them, such as the response at larger temporal and spatial scales and its visibility to the society. This chapter summarizes our experience in developing fish-based indices in Catalonia. We describe some differences observ...

The Water Framework Directive includes fish fauna as one of the biological elements, jointly with aquatic flora and benthic invertebrates, to assess and monitor water and habitat quality. Successful implementation of the Directive depends in part on the development of reliable, science-based tools to directly assess biological conditions. Although...

La península ibérica goza de una rica fauna de peces continentales, muchos de ellos endémicos y amenazados. Una de las causas de su declive es la introducción de especies exóticas o la translocación de algunas nativas a nuevas cuencas. En este trabajo, revisamos los impactos ecológicos de estas introducciones, desde los niveles genético e individua...

Ordeix M., Sostoa A., Maceda A., García-Berthou E., Benejam L., Casals F., Caiola N., Ibàñez C., Sellarès N., Pou-Rovira G., Rodríguez-Labajos B., Solà C., Bardina M., Casamitjana A. & Munné A. 2014. Els peixos dels rius i les zones humides de Catalunya. Qualitat biològica i connectivitat fluvial. Agència Catalana de l’Aigua ‒ Museu del Ter ‒ Eumo...

The knowledge of capture efficiency and side effects of electrofishing is essential for research and monitoring of stream fish populations. Differences amongst electrofishing crews have hardly been investigated and are particularly important given the on-going implementation of the Water Framework Directive and wide-ranging exchange of data worldwi...

The spatial distribution of closely related individuals can be inferred from genetic data and provides valuable information about dispersal patterns and gene flow contributing to the population genetic structure of organisms. Here, we analyzed family distribution of brown trout Salmo trutta in the uppermost reaches of the Mediterranean Son River ba...

A més de posar en evidència el valor natural i l’elevada riquesa d’aquest territori, l’estudi dels boscos, les pastures, el paisatge i els usos tradicionals han fet possible que en el llibre es proposin tot un seguit de criteris de gestió. També, que es posi de manifest que l’activitat humana ha contribuït a l’enriquiment de l’espai però, alhora, q...

The life-history tactics of the stone loach Barbatula barbatula were studied in a Mediterranean-type climate stream (Matarranya River) located in the Ebro River basin (north-east Spain). Maximum observed ages were 2+ years in both sexes (1% of individuals), although only 0+ and 1+ year age groups were well represented. It is the lowest longevity re...

1. North-eastern Spain is a hot spot for the introduction of alien fish species, and its native fish fauna is one of the most endangered worldwide. We used an extensive data set from 2002 to 2003 and historical information from the area to characterize fish diversity and establish conservation priorities in river catchments. 2. Diversity indices we...

Adjustment of the Index of Biotic integrity (IBICAT) based on the use of fish as indicators of the environmental quality of the rivers of Catalonia

The native freshwater fish fauna in the Iberian Peninsula is characterized by high diversification at species level, with the largest number of endemic species in Europe, due to the geologi-cal history of each basin (Doadrio 2001). After habitat destruction, the introduction of exotic species is the second major threat to this region. Over the last...

Mediterranean river systems are characterized by more diverse fish assemblages and regional ecological processes compared with the rest of Europe. A data set from Mediterranean France, Iberia and Greece (�2000 sites) was used to describe the characteristics of fish assemblages, explore their responses to anthropogenic disturbance and analyze the im...

Abstract  A spatially based approach was used to analyse the response of fish-based metrics to human impacts in the Iberian Peninsula. A fish-based typology was established that distinguished one salmonid type (fish assemblages dominated by Salmo trutta fario L.), two mixed types (S. trutta fario associated with different cyprinids) and six cyprini...

Aim To analyse the patterns in species richness and endemism of the native European riverine fish fauna, in the light of the Messinian salinity crisis and the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM).Location European continent. Methods After gathering native fish faunistic lists of 406 hydrographical networks, we defined large biogeographical regions with homog...

In complex aquatic ecosystems, intraspecific competition for food can evolve into dietary differences related to body size, gender, capture ability, and habitat use. The diet of the viperine snake, Natrix maura, an aquatic predator which forages on fish and amphibians, has been studied in parallel with food availability in a small locality of the M...

Fame group presentation, data from Southern Europe.

The viperine snake Natrix maura is a common water snake, which forages on aquatic prey such as fish and frogs in Western Mediterranean water bodies. Female viperine snakes collected from three populations at the Iberian Peninsula during the vitellogenesis period were compared. Mean clutch size and range, as well as the slope of the regression betwe...

Development, evaluation and implementation of a standardised fish-based assessment method for the ecological status of European rivers. Project description for FAME.