![]() Finally, the gibel carp had higher probability to occur within the crucian carp niche space than vice versa. In addition, isotopic niches partially overlapped at the four study sites, with the most divergent trophic niches found in the macrophyte-rich site. The gibel carp also significantly higher δ 13C at two sites indicating higher utilization of littoral sources compared to crucian carp. The results showed that at two sites, gibel carp had significantly lower δ 15N than crucian carp, indicating its lower trophic position. Samples were collected from four sites in the Czech Republic to determine the overlap and sizes of the trophic niches of these two species. ![]() To estimate the trophic niche divergence between gibel and crucian carp living in syntopy, a non-lethal method of stable isotope analysis (SIA) of fish scales (δ 13C and δ 15N) was employed. The once common crucian carp ( Carassius carassius) has become endangered or extirpated in many regions of Europe mainly due to the invasion of gibel carp ( C. However, there are very few model examples of nearly identical invasive and native species differing in trophic niche utilization. The vacant niche hypothesis postulates that an invasive species may be a stronger competitor if it has, additionally to a native species niche, access to a food unavailable to native species. The introduction of invasive species increases interspecific competition with native species, especially if the invasive fish have a similar ecological role in the ecosystem.
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