First report of Cabomba caroliniana in Serbia
Cabomba caroliniana (Cabombaceae, EPPO List of Invasive Alien Plants) was found for the first time in Serbia in the canal Vrbas-Bezdan in August 2008 in various locations. In this canal, the species occurred sporadically in small, established populations with an average density of 42 stems per m² in Sombor. The species also occurred in Mali Stapar, and the species was found in very dense populations both upstream and downstream of the sluice gates, where average population density was 151 stems per m². Additional populations were found later in the canal Bečej-Bogojevo in Odžaci. In all these sites, C. caroliniana does not appear to be established as it does not survive the winter. No flowering plant could be found, and it is assumed that in Serbia, C. caroliniana propagates exclusively by stem fragments.
Two possible pathways of entry of C. caroliniana are suggested. It is suspected that its presence in the Vrbas-Bezdan canal is due to individuals discarding aquarium plants. It is also suspected that stem fragments spread from areas of the canal network in Hungary where it has been recorded since 1995, in particular from the river Plazovič. The behaviour of C. caroliniana in Serbia needs to be monitored to assess its potential impacts.
Sources
Vukov D, Jurca T, Rućando M, Igić R ; Miljanivić B (2013) Cabomba caroliniana A. Gray 1837 – A new, alien and potentially invasive species in Serbia. Archives of Biological Sciences 65, 1515-1520.