Westwards expansion of the European catfish Silurus glanis in the Douro River (Portugal)

• Main Author: Gkenas, C.
• Publication Date: 2024
• Other Authors: Martelo, J., Ribeiro, D., Gago, João, Santos, G., Dias, D., Ribeiro, F.
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.15/4763
• topic: first record; apex predator; invasive species; Iberian Peninsula; impact; Silurus glanis; Douro River; primeiro registo; predador de topo; espécie invasora; Península Ibérica; Impacto ambiental; Rio Douro

The current study reports the first occurrence and the spread of the European catfish Silurus glanis (Family: Siluridae) in the Portuguese section of the Douro River, suggesting a potential expansion of its distribution in Portugal either via westward dispersal across international rivers and/or human-assisted introductions into new reservoirs and drainages. The European catfish has unique features (e.g., opportunistic predator, hunting, and aggregation behaviour) that make it highly suitable for establishing self-sustaining populations in new areas and likely contribute to its invasion success. The species may severely affect native prey communities and modify food web structure and ecosystem functioning. Efficient and sustainable management actions are needed to prevent further introductions in the future.