Near-shore distribution of alien Ponto-Caspian amphipods in a European dam reservoir in relation to substratum type and occurrence of macroinvertebrate taxa

Knowledge of habitat requirements and interspecific interactions invasive species helps predict their impact spread. We determined the relationships within freshwater Ponto-Caspian amphipod assemblage, associations with macroinvertebrates in near-shore zone a central European lowland dam reservoir. sampled five types: bare sand at water line, (0.2 m depth), (0.5 macrophyte-overgrown (1 stones (0.3 depth) on four dates (October 2015–October 2016). Pontogammarus robustoides occurred all habitats, Dikerogammarus villosus Echinogammarus ischnus were limited to stony bottom. Amphipod densities positively associated one another except juveniles, negatively correlated adults. The occurrence D. villosus, juvenile E. was related presence shelter-forming bivalve Dreissena polymorpha . sphaeriid clams gastropods (shelters), as well oligochaetes chironomids (potential prey items). oligochaetes, respectively. Coexistence various alien amphipods studied area, indicated by prevailing positive may be enabled abundance shelters rich food sources allowing partitioning.