Abstract
Non-native fish invasions are among the greatest threats to the sustainability of freshwater ecosystems worldwide. Tilapia and catfish are regularly cultured in South China which is similar to their climate in native areas and may also support their invasive potential. We systematically collected fish from eight main rivers of South China, from 2016 to 2018, to investigate and analyse species’ composition and the distribution of non-native fishes. The data reveal that non-native fishes are widespread and abundant in the sampled rivers: of the 98,887 fish collected, 11,832 individuals representing 20 species were not native, which were distributed in the 96% sampled sites. Of the non-native fish species, 17 are used in aquaculture and 19 are native to the tropics; 13 are omnivores while the other seven are predators. Based on dissimilarity of the non-native fish species distributions across the eight rivers, the different rivers could be divided into four assemblages. Geographical isolation and temperature were identified as affecting the distribution patterns of non-native fishes, thereby influencing fish species composition, species number, dominant species, and distribution variations in the South China rivers. Species composition of the non-native fishes in these rivers are related to their introduction vector, compatibility with their native habitat, and feeding strategies. Their distribution was mainly influenced by geographical location and temperature. To mitigate the impacts of non-native fish, a series of stricter management practices, systematic monitoring, and more research are needed.
Highlights
Non-native species are a primary threat to global biodiversity and the economy [1]
In China, hundreds of non-native fish species are used for aquaculture and the ornamental trade [9,15]
Vectors of fish translocation and introductions include the aquarium trade, aquaculture rearing, fi4.s2h.eFraiecstosrtsocInkfsl,uaenndcinbigotlhoegiNcaolnc-oNnattriovle[F8i,9sh,1S5p,4e8c]ie. sOCfotmhep2os0intioonn-native fish species found in South China, areVaeqcutoarcsuoltfufrieshsptreacniessl,oacnatdio6noafntdhein7tirnovdauscivtieonfisshinscpluecdieesthweearqeuinatrrioudmuctreaddfeo,raaqquuaaccuultltuurreerreeaarriinngg,t.ocFkissh, ainnaddbvieorltoegnitclayl icnotnrotrdoulc[e8d,9f,1ro5m,48a].qOuafctuhletu2r0e nfaocnil-intiaetsivteypfiischalslypehcaivese faosutnrodnignaSboiulittyh tCohtionlae,ra16teaareraanqgueacoufletunrveirsopnemcieesn,taanl dco6nodfittihoen7s,inflveaxsibivlee fhiashbistpatecreieqsuwireermeeinnttrso, deffiucceidenfot rreapqruoadcuuclttuivree srteraartienggie(sF,igaunrdef2abst).gFrioswh tinha, dasvecrotmenptalyreidntwroidthucfiesdhfsrpoemciaeqs ucuacltuultruedreffoarctihliteieosrntyapmiceanltlyalhtaravdeea[s4t9r,o5n0g]
Summary
Non-native species are a primary threat to global biodiversity and the economy [1]. They can cause biodiversity loss, food web impacts, economic damage through competitive interactions, predation, parasite transmission, and habitat alteration [2,3,4,5]. Freshwater ecosystems are the most heavily impacted by non-native species, and the most frequent alien group is fish [6,7,8,9]. In China, hundreds of non-native fish species are used for aquaculture and the ornamental trade [9,15]. A portion of the alien fish species have established self-sustaining populations in nature, though fewer have become invasive; even so, successful fish invaders pose serious threats to the country’s economy, human health, and native species [9,18,19]
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