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Non-native poeciliids in hot water: the role of thermal springs in facilitating invasion of tropical species

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Abstract

Livebearers in the family Poeciliidae are some of the most widely introduced fishes. Native poeciliid translocations within the U.S. are mostly due to deliberate stocking for mosquito control. Introductions of exotic poeciliids, those not native to the U.S., are more likely to be due to release from aquaria or escape from farms. Many of these non-natives originate from warm climate regions, contrasting with the relatively cold climates in the U.S. Thus, thermal springs may increase the possible range of these species. Our primary objective was to examine the importance of climate and thermal springs in affecting the distribution of translocated and non-native poeciliids in the U.S. This objective was addressed using a national database of poeciliid introductions. Records were dominated by a handful of states and most introductions led to established populations. While translocated mosquitofish were found across many states and climates, non-natives were found almost exclusively in warm climate states and territories (e.g., Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico), especially where air temperatures remained above freezing. Outside warm climate states, 46% of established non-native populations were located at thermal spring sources. These results indicate that thermal springs extend the distribution of non-natives, but were relatively unimportant for translocated poeciliids.

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Acknowledgements

This work would not have been possible without all those that maintain and contribute to the United States Geological Survey Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database, including Pam Fuller, the former program leader. We are grateful to colleagues and Director Craig Watson at the University of Florida/IFAS Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory (TAL) for their assistance and advice on the manuscript. Funding was provided by units of the University of Florida/IFAS (School of Forest Resources and Conservation, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and the TAL).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, University of Florida, Ruskin, FL, 33570, USA

    Quenton M. Tuckett, Taylor N. Lipscomb & Jeffrey E. Hill

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA

    Katelyn M. Lawson

  3. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Gainesville, FL, 32653, USA

    Wesley M. Daniel

  4. Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Zachary A. Siders

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  1. Quenton M. Tuckett
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Correspondence to Quenton M. Tuckett.

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Tuckett, Q.M., Lawson, K.M., Lipscomb, T.N. et al. Non-native poeciliids in hot water: the role of thermal springs in facilitating invasion of tropical species. Hydrobiologia 848, 4731–4745 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-021-04669-9

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