| Contents Notes |
When a nonindigenous species becomes established in a new area, the scientific community often is asked to predict potential ecological effects and range expansion of the species. In order to make these predictions, scientists must have basic biological information on the organism. This document provides the scientific community with basic biological information on the round goby, Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas), which entered North America in 1990. We have reviewed the currently available European and North American literature and compiled a comprehensive bibliography of goby literature, including annotations and abstracts. We also have included a listing and examples of outreach materials available on the round goby....Several gaps exist in the available information, especially in areas of particular interest to researchers and managers concerned about the impact of the round goby in North America. Few data are available on optimal sampling methods other than verbal reports from various investigators (but see Steingraeber et al. 1996), and no studies have investigated methods for controlling dispersal or population growth. Data on population densities are variable due to differences in and problems with sampling methods. Reported maximum densities should therefore be treated with caution. Further research on the round goby is needed before the scientific community can reliably predict its rate and degree of range expansion, its ecological or socioeconomic impacts, and its most probable vectors of spread. |
