New record of Neogobius fluviatilis (Pallas, 1814) (Gobiidae) in the Danube River Basin (Serbia)

Abstract

Recently, the growing colonization of allochthonous organisms in the Serbian section of the Danube River and interconnected ecosystems was observed. Hydro-morphological changes, such as regulations of the watercourse, have made this sector suitable for bio-invasions. Two specimens of Neogobius fluviatilis (Pallas, 1814) (Piscea: Gobidae) were collected on 10 August 2012 from the Zapadna Morava River, below the first dam on the river course. This is the first record of the sand goby in the watercourse in the central part of Serbia, as a tributary of the Danube River. Our findings show that the sand goby has thus far reached not only the main course of the Danube River but its tributary as well. This freshwater fish was observed for the first time in the Serbian part of the Danube River in 1986 in Begej locality (1.276 km). There are five Ponto-Caspian goby species in the waters of Serbia.