Abstract
Molecular and morphometric evidence for the widespread introduction of Western mosquitofish Gambusia affinis (Baird and Girard, 1853) into freshwaters of mainland China
Highlights
The Eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki Girard, 1859 is widely distributed in freshwaters along the East coast of the United States of America, while the mid-western parts of the United States and Northeastern Mexico are inhabited by its morphologically very similar sister species, the Western mosquitofish Gambusia affinis (Baird and Girard, 1853) (Jordan et al 1930; Pyke 2008)
All individuals of G. holbrooki included in this analysis showed eight dorsal and 11 anal fin rays (Supplementary material Figure S1)
Our data support the idea that G. affinis, but not G. holbrooki, has a wide invasive range of occurrence across mainland China
Summary
The Eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki Girard, 1859 is widely distributed in freshwaters along the East coast of the United States of America, while the mid-western parts of the United States and Northeastern Mexico are inhabited by its morphologically very similar sister species, the Western mosquitofish Gambusia affinis (Baird and Girard, 1853) (Jordan et al 1930; Pyke 2008). Nowadays, both species— often referred to as plague minnows—rank amongst the top 100 most invasive species worldwide (Lowe et al 2000). Likewise, declining abundances of Litoria aurea Lesson, 1831 frogs in water-bodies of southeastern Australia can be attributed to predation on tadpoles by invasive G. holbrooki (Hamer et al 2002; Morgan and Buttemer 1996)
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