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A review of the research on introduced freshwater fishes: new perspectives, the need for research, and management implications

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Abstract

Although freshwater fishes have a long history of human-induced introduction, recent globalization has accelerated worldwide introduction events even more, and those introduced fish species are now perceived to be a major threat to ecosystems. Over the last two decades, numerous studies have been published on introduced fish species; however, it has been challenging for researchers to understand the magnitude of the impact and the underlying mechanism of invasions. Recently, new perspectives in understanding invasive freshwater fish biology have been presented in a number of studies, which can be largely attributed to advances in analytical techniques and also to a growing need for proactive analysis in management strategies. The aim of this paper is to summarize new ecological perspectives, the need for research, and/or management implications with emphasis on technological advances in, for example, statistics, molecular analysis, modeling techniques, and landscape analysis addressed under the following five categories: introduction pathways, predicting spatial patterns, biotic homogenization, hybridization, and control and eradication. The conservation of native fish fauna and the management of introduced fish species will benefit from combining these new perspectives with fundamental studies such as those on life history and population biology.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Global Environment Research Fund (RF-075-10) of the Ministry of the Environment, Japan. We thank Dr. Yuichi Kano, Mr. Tomomi Yamashita, and two anonymous referees for their advice and comments on the manuscript.

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  1. Mayumi Sato

    Present address: International Research Center for Japanese Studies, Nishikyoku, 3-2 Oeyama-cho, Kyoto, 610-1192, Japan

  2. Yôichi Kawaguchi

    Present address: Laboratory of Ecosystem Management, Division of Ecosystem Design, Institute of Technology and Science, The University of Tokushima, 2-1 Minami-josanjima, Tokushima, 880-8506, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Watershed Management Laboratory, Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan

    Mayumi Sato, Yôichi Kawaguchi, Jun Nakajima & Yukihiro Shimatani

  2. Faculty of Regional Studies, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan

    Takahiko Mukai

  3. Fishery Research Laboratory, Kyushu University, Tsuyazaki 2506, Fukutsu, Fukuoka, 811-3304, Japan

    Norio Onikura

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  1. Mayumi Sato
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Correspondence to Mayumi Sato.

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Sato, M., Kawaguchi, Y., Nakajima, J. et al. A review of the research on introduced freshwater fishes: new perspectives, the need for research, and management implications. Landscape Ecol Eng 6, 99–108 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11355-009-0086-3

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