The Fish Rotan After 100 Years in Europe: Analysis and Prediction

The fish rotan, Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877 (family Odontobutidae), also known as the Amur or Chinese sleeper, is native to the Far East region of Eurasia. This fish was first introduced into Europe in 1912. The advances in rotan research were reviewed and features of its invasion were analysed. The history of its geographical distribution has been reconstructed by means of analysis of spatio-temporal dynamics using GIS and parasitological approaches. The extent of the non-native range of rotan has been determined by analysis of literature, museum collections, specialist responses to a questionnaire and data from four expeditions to West and East Siberia. Several new non-native sub-ranges were described, but some previously reported sub-ranges were considered unfounded. The current range extends more then 100º West to East and 20º South to North. To date, non-native populations of rotan have been recorded in two Asian and 14 European countries. The potential range of this species covers parts of West Europe and North America, where rotan is currently absent. Because of its rapid and wide distribution and significant negative impact on native aquatic ecosystems and the commercial fishing industry, invasive species researchers often describe rotan as the most invasive fish in Europe.