The spatial and trophic ecology of invasive Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) in the Wolastoq | Saint John River
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Date
2025-02
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University of New Brunswick
Abstract
When invasive species are introduced, they have negative impacts on the local system, including reducing populations of endemic species and drastically changing the ecosystem around them. As a recently introduced species, Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) are a growing concern in the Wolastoq | Saint John River, New Brunswick. Following their colonization, this master’s project began to investigate the trophic and spatial ecology of Largemouth Bass early in their colonization phase in a novel system at their northeastern range extent in North America. The results of this study suggest that Largemouth Bass exhibit increased predation and competition on local species and are at high risk of spread within the system. Given these results, the threat of Largemouth Bass within the Wolastoq | Saint John River system is high. This study should act as a baseline to compare to any future work and risk assessment.
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NATURAL SCIENCES::Biology::Terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecology::Freshwater ecology