Trophic overlap between non‐native brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) and native shortfin eel (Anguilla australis) in shallow lakes

We quantified trophic overlap between the invasive, non‐native catfish brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) and the New Zealand native shortfin eel (Anguilla australis) in four peat and riverine lakes using stable isotope (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) and gut content analyses. Across all lakes and fish sizes over the austral spring–summer period, shortfin eel guts were dominated numerically by fish prey (57% occurrence cf 42% in brown bullhead), while Diptera larvae were most commonly encountered in guts of brown bullhead (45% cf 14% in eels). Significant differences in % composition of animal contents in guts were detected between fish species and sampling occasions (n = 4) but not between lakes. In contrast, stable isotope signatures of brown bullhead and shortfin eel did differ significantly between lakes but not between sampling occasions, indicating enduring sources of nutrition despite apparently differing ingestion patterns over time. The R mixing model MixSIAR indicated that shortfins likely assimilated higher proportions of fish prey carbon compared to brown bullheads, which appeared to show greater assimilation of invertebrates, consistent with the results of gut content analyses. Isotopic niche regions, calculated in nicheROVER using probabilistic ellipses, indicated that shortfin eels occupied at least c.60% of brown bullhead trophic niche, which occupied less than 30% of eel trophic niche in all but one lake. These estimates suggest that brown bullhead has higher potential to influence shortfin eel nutrition than vice versa, or that a broad trophic niche occupied by eels provides resilience to the effects of overlapping consumption patterns with invasive omnivores.     

Early Growth and Morphology Among Hybrids of Ictalurid Catfishes

Half-sib ictalurid families were produced when eggs from three channel catfish, "Ictalurus punctatus," females were fertilized with a mixture of sperm from channel catfish, blue catfish, "I. furcatus," black bullhead, "Ameiurus melas," and flathead catfish, "Plyodictis olivaris." Sperm from all four species successfully fertilized channel catfish eggs, although individual families contained different percentages of the various crosses. The enzyme glucose phosphate isomerase distinguished the different hybrids and parental groups, and confirmed sorting of offspring based on morphology. At 1 month of age, channel catfish ♀ X flathead catfish ♂ hybrids (0.36 ± 0.07 g, mean ± SD) were heavier (P ≤ 0.05) than channel catfish ♀ X black bullhead ♂ (0.12 ± 0.03 g), channel catfish ♀ X blue catfish ♂ hybrids (0.11 ± 0.03 g ), and channel catfish (0.10 ± 0.4 g). By 8 months of age, channel catfish ♀ X black bullhead ♂ hybrids (36.4 ± 21.9 g) and channel catfish ♀ X blue catfish ♂ hybrids (34.5 ± 24.2 g) were similar in weight, and each was significantly heavier than channel catfish ♀ X channel catfish ♂ (26.9 ± 16.1 g), while channel catfish ♀ X flathead catfish ♂ (17.0 ? 6.8 g) weighed the least. Morphometric ratios of channel catfish ♀ X blue catfish ♂ were intermediate between channel catfish ♀ X channel catfish ♂ and blue catfish for four of 16 features and were similar to either or both of the parental species for 10 others. Ratios for channel catfish ♀ X black bullhead ♂ hybrids were intermediate between channel catfish ♀ X channel catfish ♂ and black bullhead for seven of 16 features. Ratios for channel catfish ♀ X flathead catfish ♂ hybrids were larger than channel catfish ♀ X channel catfish ♀ for eight of 16 features and smaller than channel catfish ♀ X channel catfish ♂ for five of 16 features. All channel catfish ♀ X flathead catfish ♂ hybrid offspring were female, based on examination of the urogenital region or gross appearance of the gonands, while other groups had normal sex ratios. Production of half-sib interspecific hybrid families provides a unique opportunity to evaluate genetic influences on commercially important traits and to evaluate the potential of these ictalurid hybrids in aquaculture.     

Long‐term impacts of introduced flathead catfish on native ictalurids in a north Florida,USA, river

Introduction of flathead catfish, Pylodictis olivaris (Rafinesque), in waters of the USA has been widespread and often with negative impacts. Flathead catfish have been collected in Florida waters since the 1980s, and this study documents their impact on native fishes shortly after establishment. Four sites in the Choctawhatchee River, Florida, were sampled from 1997 to 2011, a time period spanning several years before and after the presence of flathead catfish at all sites. Flathead catfish expanded more than 91 river km in 2 years. The population increased rapidly and became the numerically dominant ictalurid at each site within 3 years of first detection at the site. Concurrent with the increases in flathead catfish was the precipitous decline of the native spotted bullhead, Ameiurus serracanthus (Yerger & Relyea). Electric fishing catch rates of flathead catfish significantly increased (P < 0.03) over time at all sites, while spotted bullhead catch rates significantly declined (P < 0.03) at three of four sites. Catch rates of flathead catfish and spotted bullhead were negatively correlated at all but the last site to be colonised by flathead catfish. This study provides evidence that introduced flathead catfish can quickly and significantly impact native ictalurids.     

Recombinant channel catfish virus (Ictalurid herpesvirus 1) can express foreign genes and induce antibody production against the gene product

The potential use of channel catfish virus (CCV) (Ictalurid herpesvirus 1) as a vaccine vector for the channel catfish industry was investigated by inserting the Escherichia coli lacZ gene into the CCV genome and evaluating the immune response to the foreign gene product in catfish exposed to the recombinant. The recombinant virus was produced by inserting the lacZ in reading frame with the ATG start codon of the CCV thymidine kinase (TK) gene in the recombinant transfer plasmid pBSCV457 described previously. The plasmid was then cotransfected with CCV DNA in a TK gene-mediated selectable homologous recombination. The recombinant progeny were selected by resistance to 0.1 mM acycloguanosine (acyclovir) and the production of blue plaques in the presence of 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (X-gal). The resultant construct (CCVlacZ) was TK^?, and contained the lacZ gene at both TK loci in the genome. β-Galactosidase expression in infected CCO ceils reached 0.53 μg per 10⁶ CCO cells at 12 h post-infection. When channel catfish fingerlings were immersion exposed to CCVlacZ, these developed an antibody response to the inserted foreign gene product which peaked at approximately 15–20 days post-infection. Additionally, the anti-β-galactosidase response was significantly enhanced when the fingerlings were re-exposed to the virus 20 days after the initial exposure. These results demonstrate that foreign genes can be inserted into and expressed by CCV and that such constructs could be used as vaccine vectors.     

Validation of a qPCR assay for the detection of Ictalurid herpesvirus‐2 (IcHV‐2) in fish tissues and cell culture supernatants

Ictalurid herpesvirus‐2 (IcHV‐2) is a pathogen of cultured black bullhead, Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque), and has been shown to produce high mortality in experimental exposures of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque). During acute infections, the virus grows readily in cell cultures but produces a cytopathic effect (CPE) similar to that of Ictalurid herpesvirus‐1 (IcHV‐1) and the channel catfish reovirus. We have developed a quantitative PCR assay that can be used to detect IcHV‐2 in fish tissues and cell culture supernatants. The assay does not amplify other fish herpesviruses tested or host DNA. It is quantitative over a range of eight logs, and the limit of detection is <10 copies per reaction. In replicate assays carried out on different days, the coefficient of variability was 10%. The best organs for the detection of acute IcHV‐2 infections by our assay are the spleen and kidney. This assay should be useful for the diagnosis of IcHV‐2 disease, the identification of syncytial CPEs in cell cultures, and for the detection of latent infections in carrier fish.     

Family and genetic group effects for resistance to proliferative gill disease in channel catfish, blue catfish and channel catfish×blue catfish backcross hybrids

The severity of gill damage (percentage of gill lamellae with lytic lesions) was determined in juveniles from 10 USDA 103 line channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus full‐sib families, 10 channel catfish×blue catfish I. furcatus backcross hybrid (7/8 channel catfish, 1/8 blue catfish) full‐sib families and a mixed‐family group of blue catfish placed in a commercial catfish pond experiencing proliferative gill disease (PGD)‐related fish mortalities. An initial challenge was conducted with all families, and a second challenge was conducted using the two most susceptible (most gill damage) channel catfish and backcross hybrid families and the two most resistant (least gill damage) channel catfish and backcross hybrid families. In the initial challenge, percentage gill damage was not different between channel catfish (12.3%) and backcross hybrids (11.6%), but was lower in blue catfish (0.2%). Mean percentage gill damage in the second challenge was not different among resistant backcross hybrid families (6.9%), resistant channel catfish families (7.6%) and blue catfish (4.8%), but was higher in susceptible backcross hybrid and channel catfish families (19.0% and 11.9% respectively). The correlation among family means for gill damage from challenge 1 and challenge 2 was r=0.87. Consistent differences between channel catfish and blue catfish and between resistant and susceptible families within genetic groups for gill damage after PGD challenge suggest that there is a genetic component for resistance to PGD and that improving PGD resistance through selection may be possible.     

斑点叉尾嗜麦芽寡养单胞菌溶血素的分离、纯化与特性研究

采用硫酸铵沉淀、DEAE-Sephadex A50离子交换层析和Sephadex G100凝胶层析对嗜麦芽寡养单胞菌(Stenotrophomonas maltophilia)的溶血素进行了分离、纯化并对其生物学活性进行了研究。结果显示:嗜麦芽寡养单胞菌产生一种分子量为20.76 KD的单一多肽溶血素。该溶血素对斑点叉尾、云斑、鲫、人、小白鼠和兔等多种动物红细胞具有溶血活性;家兔肠袢试验显示其能致兔回肠积液,具有肠毒性;致Vero细胞形态改变,具有细胞毒性,对Vero细胞的TCID50为0.126μg。     

Detection and characterization of a rhabdovirus causing mortality in black bullhead catfish,Ameiurus melas

This study fully describes a severe disease outbreak occurred in 2016 in black bullhead catfish farmed in Italy. Affected fish showed nervous clinical signs as well as emaciations and haemorrhagic petechiae on the skin at the fin bases, abdomen and gills. Viral isolation in cell culture allowed the subsequent identification of a rhabdovirus, tentatively named ictalurid rhabdovirus (IcRV), through electron microscopy, immunofluorescence and whole genome sequencing (WGS). The newly isolated virus, together with 14 additional viral strains stored in our repository and detected during similar mortality episodes in the period 1993–2016, was phylogenetically analysed on the basis of the nucleoprotein and the glycoprotein nucleotide and amino acid sequences. The genetic distances among Italian IcRV strains were also estimated. Our results show that all the IcRV strains belong to the genus Sprivivirus and are closely related to the tench rhabdovirus (TenRV). Italian catfish production is constantly decreasing, mainly due to viral infections, which include the newly characterized IcRV. Data presented in this work will assist to investigate the molecular epidemiology and the diffusive dynamics of this virus and to develop adequate surveillance activities.     

Early out-of-season induced spawning of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque) conditioned in heated earthen ponds

This study documents early out-of-season induced spawning of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. During the early spring (February–April) of 1999, 2000 and 2001, ponds containing (1) male and female channel catfish (mixed-sex ponds) or (2) male channel and blue catfish I. furcatus only, or female channel catfish only (single-sex ponds) were heated to 24–30°C to encourage gonadal maturation and spawning. Unheated ponds were stocked with males and females and were monitored during the duration of heating. When natural spawning occurred in the heated ponds, the fish were captured by seining and unspawned females were injected with 100 μg kg⁻¹ of synthetic leutenizing hormone-releasing hormone. Injected females were either paired with males or held in communal all-female groups, and monitored for ovulation. Eggs were collected and fertilized with sperm of channel catfish or blue catfish. Females paired with males were induced to spawn 44 days (mixed-sex ponds) and 50 days (single-sex ponds) before natural spawning occurred in unheated ponds. Spawning latency (the time between injection and ovulation) and the percentage of neurulated embryos from eggs fertilized using channel catfish sperm was not different between spawning before the natural season (P=0.68) and during the natural season in fish from mixed-sex ponds (P=0.57). Females held in all-female groups produced eggs 34 days before the onset of spawning in unheated ponds. Spawning latency was not different between spawns before and during the natural season (P=0.16), and the percentages of neurulated embryos from eggs fertilized with channel catfish sperm (P=0.76) or blue catfish sperm (P=0.77) before or during the natural season were not different. This study demonstrates the feasibility of conditioning of channel catfish females for early out-of-season induced spawning in the laboratory.     

Comparative growth and yield of channel catfish and channel × blue hybrid catfish fed a full or restricted ration

Growth and yield (kg ha^?1) of the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus, Rafinesque, 1818) and the channel × blue hybrid catfish [I. punctatus female ×I. furcatus (Lesueur, 1840) male], which shared the Jubilee strain of channel catfish as the maternal parent, were compared in sixteen 0.1 ha earthen ponds (14 852 fish ha^?1) during the April to November growing season. Each fish genetic group was fed a commercially formulated 32% protein feed daily to apparent satiation or at 80% of the mean daily satiation ration. Net yield and individual weight were higher for channel × blue hybrid catfish compared with channel catfish and for fish fed a full ration compared with a restricted ration. When fed a full ration, the channel × blue hybrid catfish grew faster from May to September than did the purebred channel catfish because the hybrid catfish consumed a greater percentage of its body weight at each feeding. Net yield within each fish genetic group was lower when feed ration was restricted. The per cent reduction in net yield in response to feed restriction was similar for each fish genetic group.     

Efficacy of a Live‐attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri Oral Vaccine in Channel and Hybrid Catfish

This study evaluated the efficacy of an oral live‐attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri vaccine against enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC) in channel and hybrid catfish. The vaccine was delivered one time orally by feeding fish a diet coated with an attenuated E. ictaluri isolate at four doses to deliver between 4 × 10⁶ to 3.2 × 10⁷ viable vaccine cells/g wet feed. Thirty‐five days postvaccination, control and vaccinated fish were challenged with virulent E. ictaluri and mortality was examined for 30 d postchallenge. Mortality of nonvaccinated hybrids (85%) and nonvaccinated channel catfish (73%) was similar but significantly greater than all groups of vaccinated fish. In channel catfish, a trend toward increasing mortality with decreasing dose was observed. Mortality of channel catfish vaccinated with the lowest dose (26.6%) was significantly higher than fish vaccinated with the highest dose (14.1%) but similar to fish vaccinated at the intermediate doses (17.5 and 19.4%). In contrast, mortality of four doses of vaccinated hybrid catfish was similar and ranged between 10.4 and 14.0%. The data demonstrate that the attenuated E. ictaluri vaccine at all four doses tested is effective at reducing ESC‐related mortalities in hybrid and channel catfish.     

Interrelationships between gill chloride cell morphology and calcium uptake in freshwater teleosts

The involvement of the freshwater fish gill chloride cells (CCs) in trans-branchial calcium uptake (JinCa²⁺) was investigated. This was accomplished by assessing the interspecific relationships between the apical surface area of CCs exposed to the external environment and JinCa²⁺. Three species of freshwater teleosts, the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), the American eel (Anguilla rostrata) and the brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus), were used. Chronic (ten-day) treatment with cortisol in each species was used as a tool to evoke variations in both JinCa²⁺ and gill CC morphology in order to assess intraspecific relationships between CC surface area and JinCa²⁺. The results of quantitative morphometry, based on analysis of scanning electron micrographs, demonstrated that catfish possessed the lowest fractional area of exposed CC (CCFA) on the gill filament epithelium (12,744 ± 2248 m²/mm²) and was followed, in increasing order, by American eel (21,355 ± 981 m²/mm²) and rainbow trout (149,928 ± 26,545 m²/mm²). With the exception of catfish, chronic treatment with cortisol caused significant increases in CCFA owing to proliferation of CCs and/or enlargement of individual CCs (eel only). The rates of JinCa²⁺ closely reflected the CC fractional area in each species. The results of correlation analysis revealed significant correlations between CC fractional area and JinCa²⁺ in trout and eel. Owing to the absence of an effect of cortisol treatment, there was no significant correlation in catfish because of insufficient variation in CC fractional area in this species. CC fractional area was significantly correlated with JinCa²⁺ among the three species examined. These results suggest that CC is involved in calcium uptake in freshwater teleosts and that both intra- and interspecific differences in the rates of calcium uptake can be accounted for by variability in the surface area of exposed CCs on the gill epithelia.     

Development of an indirect enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay using a monoclonal antibody to identify Ictalurus sp. fillets

The deceptive marketing of imported basa, Pangasius bocourti (Sauvage), fillets as catfish has resulted in serious economic losses to the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), industry in the US. The similar appearance of channel catfish and basa fillets created a need for a rapid method to differentiate uncooked, cooked and/or marinated channel catfish fillets from basa fillets and other fish products. A monoclonal antibody (MAb) specific for a 36.8 kDa channel catfish fillet protein was produced and characterized by an indirect enzyme‐linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting. This MAb was used to develop an indirect ELISA specific for a fillet protein unique to fish of the genus Ictalurus. Using this ELISA, 100% of raw and cooked channel catfish fillets were correctly identified and differentiated from other fish in a single‐blind study. These results show that the indirect ELISA using MAbs specific for unique Ictalurus sp. fillet proteins is a rapid and sensitive method for the identification of raw and cooked catfish fillets.     

Malignant melanoma of brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) in Lake Memphremagog,Vermont/Quebec

In 2012, brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) with large, raised, black growths were first reported from multiple areas within the Vermont portion of Lake Memphremagog. Subsequent surveys conducted from 2014 to 2017 at two sites within the lake indicated a prevalence of 30% in adult brown bullhead 200 mm and above total length. These lesions ranged from slightly raised smooth black areas to large nodular areas on the body surface and fins and within the oral cavity. Microscopically, these lesions were determined to be malignant melanoma with invasion into surrounding hypodermis, skeletal muscle and bone as well as metastases to gill, ovary and intestine. Liver neoplasms were also observed in 8% of the bullhead collected from Lake Memphremagog in 2015. Neither skin nor liver neoplasms were noted in Ticklenaked Pond, a site used for comparison.     

Production and Processing Trait Comparisons of Channel Catfish,Blue Catfish,and Their Hybrids Grown in Earthen Ponds

Fingerling HS‐5 channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, NWAC 103 channel catfish, D&B blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, HS‐5 female channel × D&B male blue catfish F₁ hybrids, and NWAC 103 female channel × D&B male blue catfish F₁ hybrids were stocked into twenty‐five 0.04‐ha earthen ponds at 12,500 fish/ha and grown for 277 d. Fish were fed daily at rates from 1.0 to 3.0% biomass based on feeding activity and temperature and adjusted weekly assuming a feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.8 and 100% survival. At harvest, 40 fish from each pond were sampled, and all other counted and weighed. Mean survival, growth rate indexes (a), FCR, and skin‐on fillet percentages were not significantly different. Mean harvest weights and net production were higher for HS‐5 channel and its hybrid than for the NWAC 103 channel, NWAC 103 hybrid, and D&B blue catfish, partially because of their larger mean stocking weights. D&B blue catfish was more uniform in size than NWAC 103 channel and NWAC 103 hybrid. D&B blue catfish was the easiest to seine. HS‐5 hybrids and NWAC 103 hybrids had lower mean head percentage and a better processing yield than their parent channel catfish.     

Growth, feed conversion, fillet proximate composition and resistance to Edwardsiella ictaluri of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus (Lesueur), and their reciprocal F1 hybrids fed 25% and 45% protein diets

Juvenile channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), blue catfish, I. furcatus (Lesueur), and their reciprocal Fl hybrids were fed practical diets containing 25% and 45% protein during a 10-week trial to determine the effects of genotype, dietary protein level and genotype X diet interactions on growth, feed conversion ratio (FCR), fillet proximate composition and resistance to the bacterium Edwardsiella ictaluri. Rankings of genotypes (best to worst) for absolute weight gain, percentage weight gain and FCR were: channel, channel female X blue male, blue, and blue female X channel male for the 25% protein diet; and channel, channel X blue, blue X channel, and blue for the 45% diet. Diet did not affect growth or FCR of channel catfish, but growth and FCR were better for blue catfish and both hybrids fed the 25% diet compared to those fed the 45% diet. Channel catfish additive genetic and maternal effects were favourable, and heterosis was negative for growth and FCR. After adjusting for effects of fish size, genotype had no effect on fillet composition. Fillet protein was higher for all genotypes, and fillet lipid was lower for blue catfish and hybrids fed the 45% diet than for fish fed the 25% diet. Genotype X diet interactions observed for growth, FCR and fillet lipid appeared to be a result of poor palatability of the 45% diet to blue catfish and hybrids. Survival (76-93%) and antibody levels (0.10-0.24 OD) after exposure to E. ictaluri at the end of the feeding trial were not affected by genotype or diet. Hybridization of blue catfish and channel catfish would not be an effective method for improving the traits measured for the fish strains and diets used in this study.     

Comparative Susceptibility of Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus; Blue Catfish,Ictalurus furcatus; and Channel (♀) × Blue (♂) Hybrid Catfish to Edwardsiella piscicida,Edwardsiella tarda,and Edwardsiella anguillarum

Members of the genus Edwardsiella are important pathogens of cultured and wild fish globally. Recent investigations into the phenotypic and genotypic variation of Edwardsiella tarda have led to the segregation of E. tarda into three distinct taxa: E. tarda, Edwardsiella piscicida, and Edwardsiella anguillarum. In catfish aquaculture in the southeastern USA, E. piscicida has been more commonly associated with disease than E. tarda or E. anguillarum, and recent research has demonstrated E. piscicida to be more pathogenic in channel catfish than E. tarda or E. anguillarum. Anecdotal reports from industry suggest an increased prevalence of E. piscicida associated with the culture of channel (♀) × blue (♂) hybrid catfish. This work investigated the comparative susceptibility of channel catfish, blue catfish, and their hybrid cross to molecularly confirmed isolates of E. tarda, E. piscicida, and E. anguillarum. There was significantly higher mortality in hybrid catfish compared to channel catfish following intracoelomic injection of E. piscicida. To our knowledge, E. piscicida is the first bacterial pathogen to demonstrate increased pathogenicity in hybrid catfish compared to channel catfish.     

Comparison of Edwardsiella ictaluri isolates from different hosts and geographic origins

The intraspecific variability of E. ictaluri isolates from different origins was investigated. Isolates were recovered from farm‐raised catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in Mississippi, USA, tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) cultured in the Western Hemisphere and zebrafish (Danio rerio) propagated in Florida, USA. These isolates were phenotypically homologous and antimicrobial profiles were largely similar. Genetically, isolates possessed differences that could be exploited by repetitive‐sequence‐mediated PCR and gyrB sequence, which identified three distinct E. ictaluri genotypes: one associated with catfish, one from tilapia and a third from zebrafish. Plasmid profiles were also group specific and correlated with rep‐PCR and gyrB sequences. The catfish isolates possessed profiles typical of those described for E. ictaluri isolates; however, plasmids from the zebrafish and tilapia isolates differed in both composition and arrangement. Furthermore, some zebrafish and tilapia isolates were PCR negative for several E. ictaluri virulence factors. Isolates were serologically heterogenous, as serum from a channel catfish exposed to a catfish isolate had reduced antibody activity to tilapia and zebrafish isolates. This work identifies three genetically distinct strains of E. ictaluri from different origins using rep‐PCR, 16S, gyrB and plasmid sequencing, in addition to antimicrobial and serological profiling.     

Responses of fluvial fish assemblages to agriculture within the boreal zone

Abstract The effect of agriculture on fish assemblages was assessed using electric fishing data from 108 sites on 27 medium‐sized rivers running through organic soils in central and northern Finland. The intensity of agriculture was quantified as the percentage of the catchment area used for agriculture (range 0–31%). High correlations (r² = 0.68–0.86) were found between the intensity of agriculture and water quality parameters, especially total phosphorus, suspended solids and chemical oxygen demand. Densities of bullhead, Cottus gobio L., alpine bullhead, Cottus poecilopus Heckel, minnow, Phoxinus phoxinus (L.) and brown trout, Salmo trutta L., declined with increasing intensity of agriculture. Conversely, density of perch, Perca fluviatilis L., and roach, Rutilus rutilus (L.), increased with intensity of agriculture. A fish‐based index developed for the evaluation of the ecological integrity of rivers correlated negatively with the intensity of agriculture.     

Diet of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) on the River Gradac,Serbia: Predation in a brown trout‐dominated stream

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