scholarly journals Invasion genetics of the silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) across North America: Differentiation of fronts, introgression, and eDNA detection

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol A. Stepien ◽  
Anna E. Elz ◽  
Matthew R. Snyder
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Mississippi River ◽  
Population Genetic ◽  
Silver Carp ◽  
Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix ◽  
Wabash River ◽  
Introduced Range ◽  
Invasion Genetics ◽  
Invasion Fronts ◽  
Mtdna Haplotype

AbstractThe invasive silver carpHypophthalmichthys molitrixescaped from southern U.S. aquaculture during the 1970s to spread throughout the Mississippi River basin and steadily moved northward, now reaching the threshold of the Laurentian Great Lakes. The silver carp is native to eastern Asia and is a large, prolific filter-feeder that decreases food availability for fisheries. The present study evaluates its population genetic variability and differentiation across the introduced range using 10 nuclear DNA microsatellite loci, sequences of two mitochondrial genes (cytochromeband cytochromecoxidase subunit 1), and a nuclear gene (ribosomal protein S7 gene intron 1). Populations are analyzed from two invasion fronts threatening the Great Lakes (the Illinois River outside Lake Michigan and the Wabash River, leading into the Maumee River and western Lake Erie), established areas in the southern and central Mississippi River, and a later Missouri River colonization. Results discern considerable genetic diversity and some significant population differentiation, with greater mtDNA haplotype diversity and unique microsatellite alleles characterizing the southern populations. Invasion fronts significantly differ, diverging from the southern Mississippi River population. About 3% of individuals contain a unique and very divergent mtDNA haplotype (primarily the southerly populations and the Wabash River), which may stem from historic introgression in Asia with female largescale silver carpH. harmandi. Nuclear microsatellites and S7 sequences of the introgressed individuals do not significantly differ from silver carp. MtDNA variation is used in a high-throughput sequence assay that identifies and distinguishes invasive carp species and their population haplotypes (includingH. molitrixandH. harmandi) at all life stages, in application to environmental (e)DNA water and plankton samples. We discerned silver and bighead carp eDNA from four bait and pond stores in the Great Lakes watershed, indicating that release from retailers comprises another likely vector. Our findings provide key baseline population genetic data for understanding and tracing the invasion’s progression, facilitating detection, and evaluating future trajectory and adaptive success.

scholarly journals Hydrology controls recruitment of two invasive cyprinids: bigheaded carp reproduction in a navigable large river

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel K. Gibson-Reinemer ◽  
Levi E. Solomon ◽  
Richard M. Pendleton ◽  
John H. Chick ◽  
Andrew F. Casper
Keyword(s):  
Mississippi River ◽  
Silver Carp ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Large River ◽  
Asian Carp ◽  
Bighead Carp ◽  
Illinois River ◽  
Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix ◽  
The Past ◽  
Causative Factors

In the Mississippi River Basin of North America, invasive bigheaded carp (silver carpHypophthalmichthys molitrixand bighead carpH. nobilis, also referred to as Asian carp) have spread rapidly over the past several decades. In the Illinois River, an important tributary of the Upper Mississippi River, reproduction appears to be sporadic and frequently unsuccessful, yet bigheaded carp densities in this river are among the highest recorded on the continent. Understanding the causative factors behind erratic recruitment in this commercially-harvested invasive species is important for both limiting their spread and managing their harvest. We analyzed weekly catch records from 15 years of a standardized monitoring program to document the emergence of age-0 bigheaded carp in relation to environmental conditions. The appearance of age-0 fish was generally linked to hydrographic attributes, which probably serve as a cue for spawning. However, we found profound differences in the number of age-0 fish among years, which varied by as much as five orders of magnitude in successive years. The strong link between summer flooding and age-0 fish production we observed emphasizes the importance of understanding the hydrologic context in which sustained invasions occur. Despite evidence of sporadic recruitment, bigheaded carp populations in the Illinois River appear to be consistent or increasing because of particularly strong, episodic year classes.

Invasive Asian Carps in North America

2011 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Mississippi River ◽  
Silver Carp ◽  
Bighead Carp ◽  
Ctenopharyngodon Idella ◽  
Great Lakes Basin ◽  
Black Carp ◽  
Federal Department ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Asian Carps

<em>Abstract</em>.—There are four species collectively known as the Asian carps: grass carp <em>Ctenopharyngodon idella</em>, bighead carp <em>Hypophthalmichthys nobilis</em>, silver carp <em>H. molitrix</em>, and black carp <em>Mylopharyngodon piceus</em>. These species have been introduced worldwide for aquaculture purposes. Subsequent to introduction into the southern United States, three species have become well-established in the wild (grass, bighead, and silver carps). Two of these species, bighead and silver carps, have been dispersing rapidly up the Mississippi River basin, wreaking ecological havoc along the way. As there are numerous connections between the Mississippi basin and Canadian watersheds, including the Great Lakes, there is considerable concern about their potential ecological impacts if introduced and established in Canada. In addition to natural dispersal, these species may also be introduced into the Canadian wild through the live food fish trade. In 2004, the Canadian federal department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada conducted a risk assessment to determine the ecological risk of Asian carps to Canada. This assessment included evaluating the risk of survival, reproduction and spread of these species, as well as their pathogens, parasites, or fellow travelers (e.g. other invasive species), should they be introduced into Canada. These components were assessed in an expert workshop using best available information on their biology, potential vectors of introduction, and impacts in both native and introduced ranges. The assessment concluded that the risk of impact was high in, at least, some parts of Canada, including the southern Great Lakes basin by all four Asian carp species.

Phytoplankton Prey Selection by Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Val. (Silver Carp) in a Lower Mississippi River Backwater Lake

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clifford A. Ochs ◽  
Orathai Pongruktham ◽  
K. Jack Killgore ◽  
Jan Jeffrey Hoover
Keyword(s):  
Mississippi River ◽  
Prey Selection ◽  
Silver Carp ◽  
Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix ◽  
Lower Mississippi River

scholarly journals Responses of invasive silver and bighead carp to a carbon dioxide barrier in outdoor ponds

2017 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron R. Cupp ◽  
Richard A. Erickson ◽  
Kim T. Fredricks ◽  
Nicholas M. Swyers ◽  
Tyson W. Hatton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Mississippi River ◽  
Silver Carp ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Bighead Carp ◽  
Significant Shift ◽  
Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix ◽  
Dissolved Carbon ◽  
Resource Managers ◽  
Before And After

Resource managers need effective methods to prevent the movement of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) from the Mississippi River basin into the Laurentian Great Lakes. In this study, we evaluated dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) as a barrier and deterrent to silver (278 ± 30.5 mm) and bighead (212 ± 7.7 mm) carp movement in continuous-flow outdoor ponds. As a barrier, CO2 significantly reduced upstream movement but was not 100% effective at blocking fish passage. As a deterrent, we observed a significant shift away from areas of high CO2 relative to normal movement before and after injection. Carbon dioxide concentrations varied across the pond during injection and reached maximum concentrations of 74.5 ± 1.9 mg·L–1 CO2; 29 532 – 41 393 μatm (1 atm = 101.325 kPa) at the site of injection during three independent trials. We conclude that CO2 altered silver and bighead carp movement in outdoor ponds and recommend further research to determine barrier effectiveness during field applications.

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