A Weight-length Relationship of the Amur Sleeper (Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877) (Odontobutidae)in the Danube River Drainage Canal, Serbia

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155
ACTA ZOOLOGICA BULGARICA
Acta zool. bulg., Suppl. 9, 2017: 155-159
Research Article
*Corresponding author
Introduction
One of the main threats to biodiversity are invasive
species (C  G-B 2005,
G-B 2007), so there is an increasing
interest in data, which can attribute to their control
and management (N  S 2015).
The Amur sleeper (Perccottus glenii Dybowski,
1877) is a species indigenous to the Russian Far
East, north-eastern China and the northern part
of the Korean Peninsula (K et al. 1999).
Numerous authors provide information on the
species introduction and current distribution in
waters of central and eastern Europe ( 1998,
K et al. 1999,    
et al. 2011). For the

   
  Catch of single specimens was
reported at two localities in the Danube River, near
Vinci ( et

       
   
 et
al. (2007). The lack of precise information about
the occurrence and abundance of the Amur sleeper

research in small water bodies heavily overgrown
with vegetation, where the species most often
occurs ( et al. 2015). However, some
probabilistic models provide preliminary, rapid
assessment of its range ( et al. 2012), while
models based on large-scale bioclimatic variables
(    
predict the invasion of this species.
A Weight-length Relationship of the Amur Sleeper
(Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877) (Odontobutidae)
in the Danube River Drainage Canal, Serbia
Stefan Skorić*, Branislav Mićković, Dušan Nikolić, Aleksandar Hegediš & Gorčin Cvijanović
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, University of Belgrade,
stefan.skoric@imsi.rs
Abstract  Perccottus glenii), an indigenous species to the Russian Far East, northern China
and the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, is an invasive alien species to European waters. It may
              


Our study included 85 specimens from the Danube River canal near Veliko Gradište, Serbia, caught in
two consecutive years (November 2015 and October 2016), with the aim to assess the weight-length


b 

Key words: Introduced species, Perccottus glenii, Danube River, weight-length relationship, age structure

156
Skorić S., B. Mićković, D. Nikolić, A. Hegediš & G. Cvijanović
Since the Amur sleeper is not a strong swimmer
and it occurs in water bodies that either have a
weak current or are stagnant with well-developed
vegetation (   2002), its
      
negative impact on eggs and larvae of economically
       
of habitats ( et al. 2007). Complete
       
crucian carp (Carassius carassius) (
 2002) and considerable decrease in species
     
amphibians (    
of the Amur sleeper presence. Additionally, it prefers
to consume pike (Esox lucius), crucian carp, perch
(Perca uviatilis) and wild carp (Cyprinus carpio)
       
( 2002).
One of the useful tools that helps in the
calculation of the standing crop biomass and

 et al.

factor to be determined and used for between-
regions life-history comparison and ontogenetic
changes ( ,   
1995

and management for assessing natural populations
( et al. 2006, ).
     
population, irrespective of individual variation,
         
population ( et al. 2011).
The aim of the present study was to assess
the weight-length relationship of an Amur sleeper
population from the Danube River canal in Serbia.
These data can be further used to compare with other
populations of the Amur sleeper within the species
native and invasive range.
Materials and Methods
During a 2015-2016 survey, 85 specimens of the

°
21°
      
October 2016 (n=50), were caught in the densely
  

catching surface of about 200 m2. The specimens
were stored in 95% ethanol until examination.

an electronic digital caliper (0.1 mm) and body
weight was measured using a digital scale (0.1
g). The samples were grouped in 10 mm interval
length classes and their percentage distribution was
analysed. The scales for age analysis were taken from
         
They were read under a dissecting stereomicroscope

   
-2).
      

b, which was converted into its logarithmic
expression log W = logab 
a and b     
      
(r2      
regression slopes was tested by a t-test at the 0.05

Results and Discussion
The total body length of the studied specimens ranged

   
      
by  (2015) for the Amur sleeper
populations in the Upper Danube River. However,


     
In our study, the average values of the total body
length and weight were 76.6±22.9 mm and 6.7±6.9
g, respectively. The average total body length and
weight in November 2015 were 75.7±26.6 mm and
7.2±9.7 g, respectively, whereas, in October 2016,

The analysis of the percentage distribution of
length classes was based on 10 mm interval classes,

 
in November 2015 was in the length class of 50.1-
60.0 mm. It was followed by the length classes of
 
mm (11% each), 110.1-120.0 mm (9%), 110.1-

      
The highest percentage of specimens (26%) caught
in October 2016 was in the 80.1-90.0 mm length
class. It was followed by the length classes of 70.1-
80.0 mm (22%), 90.1-100.0 mm and 100.1-110.0


120.0 mm (2%).

A Weight-length Relationship of the Amur Sleeper (Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877) (Odontobutidae) in the Danube...
157
      
        
       
classes is given in Table 1.
The data show that the samples, which were
    
        

above 100 mm (Table 1). Therefore, we can assume
       

 

         
 (2016), the specimens of




as reported by  et al. (2006).
The CPUE in the samples from November
2015 and October 2016 were 0.175 and 0.250,
respectively. These values are lower than the CPUE
        
River oxbow, while they are similar to those (0.12)
reported for the Wieprz River oxbow (
        
abundance between the two consecutive years in
the Danube River canal in Serbia is evident.
Additionally, the samples of the Amur sleeper
from November 2015 were accompanied by four
pikes, three rudds (Scardinius erythrophthalmus),
seven roaches (Rutilus rutilus), six tenches (Tinca
tinca   Carassius auratus), seven
bleaks (Alburnus alburnus), and four pumpkinseeds
(Lepomis gibbosus     
the samples of the Amur sleeper from October 2016
were accompanied by three pikes, two rudds, four

three pumpkinseeds. The CPUE for November 2015
      
   
Since the Amur sleeper can have a dramatic impact
on freshwater communities ( 

at the sampling site may be attributed to the increase
in the abundance of the Amur sleeper, however, it
may be due to many other factors.
In the samples from November 2015 and
     a and b, the
        
determination, r2 were determined. Both regressions
 P<0.05). The b values for
November 2015 and October 2016 samples were
b values

to be common ( ). Our results were
higher than the values reported for the Amur sleeper
        
H        
    et al.
2011,  et al. 2017).
The a values in the samples from November
2015 and October 2016 were 0.000000265 and
Table 1. Percentage distribution of age classes in the Amur sleeper (Perccottus glenii) from the Danube River canal,

Length classes
November 2015 October 2016 Both years
Age classes
        
 22.2% 8.7%
 7.1% 11.1% 8.7%
50.1-60 mm 21.6% 
60.1-70 mm  8.7%
70.1-80 mm 7.1% 
80.1-90 mm  22.2% 
90.1-100 mm 22.2% 8.7%
100.1-110 mm 7.1% 11.1% 8.7%
110.1-120 mm  11.1% 
 7.1% 

 7.1% 

158
Skorić S., B. Mićković, D. Nikolić, A. Hegediš & G. Cvijanović
0.000000701, respectively, while r2 values were 0.99
   t 
       
the slopes of the two regression lines. Although
b values
for the two consecutive years, a certain decline in b
(0.2) was recorded in October 2016. According to
R
for the same population could be associated with
their nutritional condition. The observed decline in b
could be attributed to a higher level of competition for
food resources indicated by the increased population
density of the Amur sleeper. The same age structure
for two consecutive years and the increase in the
abundance of the Amur sleeper, suggested that this
was a recently established population.
This research provides useful information
for strategies aimed to stop and manage the Amur
sleeper dispersal in newly occupied water bodies.
Also, it showed the dynamics in recently established
populations of this species, which could be useful
for the prevention of the invasion of this species.
Additionally, as    (2015)
suggest, eradication or control of the Amur sleeper
populations may be possible in small isolated
systems (ponds and oxbows) if actions are taken
soon after detection of the species. However, there
is a need for future monitoring and research of this
invasive alien species, which is still in the process of
non-native range expansion in Serbia.
Acknowledgements: This study was supported by the Ministry
of Education, Science and Technological Development of the

Fig. 1. Scatter plot of the weight-length relationship in the
Amur sleeper (Perccottus glenii) from the Danube River


References
      Perccottus glenii
     
   


 
of the invasive topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva)



 First record of alien invasive species
rotan (Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877) in Croatia.
Journal of Applied Ichthyology 
G-BInvasive species are a


Cube low, condition factor and weight-length


G    mur sleeper (Perccottus
glenii 
158-160. (in Hungarian, with English summary)
G-B
what has been learned so far? Journal of Fish Biology 71

G    
   
Perccottus glenii, in


 NPerccottus
glenii 
with English summary)

   Amur sleeper (Perccottus glenii
Dybowski, 1877) spreading in the Danube River Basin.



the tributary of Amur River (Fuyuan, NE China). Journal

A Weight-length Relationship of the Amur Sleeper (Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877) (Odontobutidae) in the Danube...
159

    
Assessing the range of newly established invasive species

171-178.

record of Perccottus glenii
in the Danube River in Bulgaria. Acta Zoologica Bulgarica

K






M
   Weight-length relationship
of littoral to lower slope fishes from the western

    First record of the invasive
Amur sleeper, Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877 in German

measures to stop the invasion. BioInvasions Records 

rowth featurs
of the Amur sleeper, Perccottus glenii 
   
basin, Hungary. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria  

PWeight-length relationships


R    Occurrence,
dispersion and habitat preferences of Amur sleeper
(Perccottus glenii) in oxbow lakes of a large river and its

R Perccottus
glenii   


R Potential range of
Perccottus glenii) in the Holartic.

RComputation and interpretation of biological
statistic of fish populations. Bulletin of the Fisheries

S Theoretical analysis of the weight-length
    
551.
S   ecord of Amur
sleeper Perccottus glenii (Odontobutidae) in Serbia and

ŠIPOŠ Š., M    
Amur sleeper (Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877, fam.
Odontobutidae) in the Danube River. International


I. 2006. 
Carasius gibelio) from 12 Greek lakes in relation to
   



decades of monitoring in Flanders (Belgium). Journal of

    
features and genetic variation of Chinese sleeper Perccottus
glenii
