Theoretical Ecology

, Volume 7, Issue 3, pp 253–261 | Cite as

Nile perch (Lates niloticus, L.) and cichlids (Haplochromis spp.) in Lake Victoria: could prey mortality promote invasion of its predator?

  • Karen E. van de Wolfshaar
  • Reinier HilleRisLambers
  • Kees P. C. Goudswaard
  • Adriaan D. Rijnsdorp
  • Marten Scheffer
ORIGINAL PAPER
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

The invasion of Nile perch into Lake Victoria is one of the iconic examples of the destructive effect of an introduced species on an ecosystem but no convincing explanation exists of why Nile perch only increased dramatically after a 25 year lag. Here, we consider this problem using a mathematical model that takes into account interactions between Nile perch and its cichlid prey. We examined competing hypotheses to explain Nile perch invasion and show that suppression of juvenile Nile perch by cichlids may cause the system to have two alternative stable states: one with only cichlids and one with coexistence of cichlids and Nile perch. Without cichlid predation on Nile perch, alternative stable states did not occur. Our analysis indicates that cichlid mortality, for example fishing mortality, may have induced the observed shift between the states.

Keywords

Alternative stable states Invasion Lag phase Recruitment depensation Omnivory Lates niloticus Nile perch Haplochromis Lake Victoria 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

Wageningen UR facilitated the research presented in this manuscript. We would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments that greatly improved the manuscript and Egil Fischer for helping out with Mathematica issues.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Authors and Affiliations

  • Karen E. van de Wolfshaar
    • 1
    • 3
  • Reinier HilleRisLambers
    • 1
    • 4
  • Kees P. C. Goudswaard
    • 1
  • Adriaan D. Rijnsdorp
    • 1
    • 3
  • Marten Scheffer
    • 2
  1. 1.Wageningen IMARESIJmuidenThe Netherlands
  2. 2.Department Aquatic Ecology & Water Quality ManagementWageningen UniversityWageningenThe Netherlands
  3. 3.Aquaculture and Fisheries GroupWageningen UniversityWageningenThe Netherlands
  4. 4.World Wildlife Fund, Oceans & Coasts ProgramZeistThe Netherlands

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