Comparison of Burbot Population Dynamics Across Adjacent Native and Invaded Ranges

There are numerous fish species for which invasive and native populations are relatively widespread, yet few comparisons have been made of population demographics or fish habitat relationships between these native and invasive populations. In Wyoming, burbot (Lota lota) are native to the Wind River Drainage, but have been illegally introduced across the continental divide into the Green River Drainage, where they have successfully established robust populations in both reservoir and river habitats. We used genetic approaches to determine the likely source population of introduced burbot in the Green River Drainage. We then compared habitat; burbot abundance, size-distribution, and condition; and fish community structure between lentic populations in the native and introduced range. We found there were not large or consistent differences in population attributes between the native and introduced populations. The introduced range had high quality habitat and good resource availability which may explain burbot success. Insight into what is driving population dynamics of burbot within their native and introduced range could help inform management - both control in the introduced range and conservation in the native range.