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Regional ecological risk assessment for the introduction of Gambusia affinis (western mosquitofish) into Montana watersheds

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Abstract

Qualitative risk assessment methodologies were used to assess the risk of establishment and consequent impacts on native minnows and species of concern (SOC) associated with the intentional or unintentional introduction of the mosquito biological control agent, Gambusia affinis, to various Montana watersheds. Gambusia affinis introductions for mosquito control have been made throughout the world; some introductions have resulted in deleterious effects on native species. We used average January water temperatures, the presence of dams, and the presence of native minnows and SOC to define endpoints for our assessment. Our results suggest that a section of the Missouri River running between Wolf Creek and Landusky had the highest overall risk score, which corresponds to the highest likelihood of establishment and effects on native minnows and SOC. We also demonstrate how rivers with the highest temperatures are not necessarily at the highest risk of having deleterious effects on minnows and SOC; conversely, these rivers were found to be at highest risk of a population of G. affinis establishing.

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Abbreviations

EA:

Environmental assessment

G. affinis :

Gambusia affinis

GIS:

Geographical Information Systems

MFWP:

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks

NRC:

National Research Council

ORS:

Overall risk score

SOC:

Species of concern

USGS:

United States Geological Survey

USOSTP:

United States Office of Science Technology and Policy

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Acknowledgements

We thank K. Staigmiller (Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks), M. Schat and F. Antwi (Montana State University), and R. Davis (ICM Ventures Inc.). This research was supported by a grant from the US Armed Forces Pest Management Board’s Deployed War Fighter Protection Program, Montana State University, and the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, Bozeman, Montana, USA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, 334 Leon Johnson Hall, Bozeman, MT, 59717-3120, USA

    Jerome J. Schleier III, Sharlene E. Sing & Robert K. D. Peterson

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  1. Jerome J. Schleier III
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  2. Sharlene E. Sing
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  3. Robert K. D. Peterson
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Correspondence to Jerome J. Schleier III.

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Schleier, J.J., Sing, S.E. & Peterson, R.K.D. Regional ecological risk assessment for the introduction of Gambusia affinis (western mosquitofish) into Montana watersheds. Biol Invasions 10, 1277–1287 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-007-9202-1

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