BioInvasions Records (2013) Volume 2, Issue 1: 79–83 Open Access doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3391/bir.2013.2.1.14 © 2013 The Author(s). Journal compilation © 2013 REABIC Short Communication Arrival of round goby Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814) and bighead goby Ponticola kessleri (Günther, 1861) in the High Rhine (Switzerland) Irene Kalchhauser*, Peter Mutzner, Philipp E. Hirsch and Patricia Burkhardt-Holm Program Man-Society-Environment, Dept. of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, 4051 Basel, Switzerland E-mail:
[email protected] (IK),
[email protected] (PM),
[email protected] (PEH),
[email protected] (PBH) *Corresponding author Received: 20 July 2012 / Accepted: 31 October 2012 / Published online: 22 November 2012 Handling editor: Vadim Panov Abstract A number of Ponto-Caspian gobiid species are currently invading European coasts and freshwaters. They do not only present a nuisance to fishermen, but evidence suggests that they compete with native benthic fishes and may contribute to changes in ecosystem function. This paper reports the presence of round goby Neogobius melanostomus individuals and an established population of bighead goby Ponticola kessleri in the High Rhine. Key words: gobiidae; non-native; alien; invasion; High Rhine; Switzerland 2001) was predicted to promote westward Introduction migration of fish species (Balon et al. 1986), including Ponto-Caspian gobiids (Proterorhinus Several goby species from the Caspian and Black marmoratus). In the meantime, five of six gobiid Sea are currently spreading in European rivers. species predicted to invade the Rhine (Freyhof Ponticola kessleri (Günther, 1861; Neilson and 2003) have indeed arrived. Their dispersal Stepien 2009), Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, appears to be facilitated by shipping, as round 1814), Proterorhinus marmoratus (Pallas, 1814), goby dispersal has followed shipping routes Neogobius fluviatilis (Pallas, 1814), and Babka (Brown and Stepien 2009; LaRue et al.