Adams, C.E. and P.S. Maitland, 1997.  The Biology of the Ruffe Invasion of Loch Lomond, Scotland, University Field Station, Fish Conservation Centre

Proceedings of the International Symposium on Biology and Management of Ruffe, March 21-23, 1997

The Biology of the Ruffe Invasion of Loch Lomond, Scotland

Abstract
The Ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernuus, was first recorded in Scotland in 1982 in Loch Lomond where they were introduced accidentally as live-bait, probably originating from England. Ruffe very quickly became established. In this paper, we describe the rapid ruffe population expansion, which continued through the 1980's, and present data on the current population status. The establishment of a large ruffe population has had a significant effect on the trophic relationships within the Loch Lomond ecosystem. In the paper, we will summarize and review previously published data on both direct and indirect predation effects that have resulted from the introduction of ruffe to Loch Lomond. To examine the possibility of feeding competition between ruffe and the only other percid in this lake, the Eurasian Perch, Perca fluviatilis, we compare the diet of ruffe with that of perch both before and after the ruffe invasion. To attempt to identify the reasons for the rapid increase in the ruffe population size following invasion we summarize age, growth and fecundity data and compare these with data from ruffe from established populations.

Contact: Colin E. Adams, University Field Station, Rowardennan, Glasgow G63 0AW, Scotland or colin.adams@bio.gla.ac.uk
Keywords: Ruffe, Ecological_interactions, Population_dynamics
Product Type: Publications, Conference_proceedings
User Type: General