Th-HA-8
Non-Native Fish of the Peace River Basin, Florida: History, Composition, and Habitat Associations
Format:Oral
Authors:
Hartman, Crystal. Program for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida, 7922 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 32653; 352-224-5206;
c.hartman@ufl.edu
Hill, Jeffrey. Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, Program for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida, 1408 24th St. SE, Ruskin, FL 33570; 813-671-5230 ext. 118;
jeffhill@ufl.edu
Presenter:Crystal Hartman
Abstract: Non-native fishes may impact receiving ecosystems, altering community structure and habitat use of native fishes. Few studies evaluate habitat and potentially native fish associations. Most research on non-native fishes focuses on canals and marshes in southeastern Florida. The Peace River drainage basin of south-central Florida is one of the largest in the state, has a long history of non-native fish introduction, and a series of fish community studies documenting species and occurrence. Our study (a) reviewed the history of non-native fish introduction within the basin and (b) evaluated the four most common non-native species to determine their associations with native fishes and their habitat use. Blue tilapia Oreochromis aureus was documented in 1961, brown hoplo Hoplosternum littorale and vermiculated sailfin catfish Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus in 1989, and African jewelfish Hemichromis letourneuxiin 2003. Boat electrofishing sampling and habitat surveys were collected in the mainstem and four major tributaries quarterly from 2008 to 2012. Sixty-six species totaling 20,655 fish, weighing 1,593 kg were collected. Total contribution of non-native fishes collected across years was 3.6% by number and 8.8% by weight. Despite over 50 years of introductions, non-native fishes were not a dominant component of the fish fauna of the Peace River.
Student presenter:Yes
PROGRAM COMMITTEE CONTACTS
Program Chair:
Jeffrey Hill, Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, Program for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida, jeffhill@ufl.edu, 813-671-5230 ext. 118
Committee Members:
Daniel Canfield, Program for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida, decan@ufl.edu, 352-273-3620
Chuck Cichra, Program for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida, cecichra@ufl.edu, 352-273-3621