Removing threats before they spread: Eradication of two non-native fishes in Miami, Florida (USA)
Dates
Publication Date
2019-05-22
Start Date
2017-11-04
End Date
2017-11-06
Citation
Schofield, P.J., Jelks, H.L., and Gestring, K.B., 2019, Removing threats before they spread: Eradication of two non-native fishes in Miami, Florida (USA): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9EWSGZB.
Summary
The proliferation of non-native fishes in Florida is a serious problem, and new species continue to be introduced to the State. Herein we report the eradication of two species of non-native fishes in Miami, Florida (Giant Cichlid Petenia splendida and Blue Mbuna Labeotropheus fuelleborni; both Family: Cichlidae). We removed these fishes before they were observed in the extensive, interconnected canal system through which they may have been able to expand throughout south Florida and access protected areas such as Everglades National Park and Water Conservation Areas.
Summary
The proliferation of non-native fishes in Florida is a serious problem, and new species continue to be introduced to the State. Herein we report the eradication of two species of non-native fishes in Miami, Florida (Giant Cichlid Petenia splendida and Blue Mbuna Labeotropheus fuelleborni; both Family: Cichlidae). We removed these fishes before they were observed in the extensive, interconnected canal system through which they may have been able to expand throughout south Florida and access protected areas such as Everglades National Park and Water Conservation Areas.
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Related External Resources
Type: Related Primary Publication
Schofield, P.J., Jelks, H., and Gestring, K.B., 2019, Eradication of two non-native cichlid fishes in Miami, Florida (USA): Management of Biological Invasions, v. 10, no. 2, p. 296-310, https://doi.org/10.3391/mbi.2019.10.2.06.
The study site, Pinecrest Gardens, is important because it contains remnant coastal cypress-strand habitat in an increasingly urban landscape that historically provided refuge to amphidromous fishes and invertebrates. We are hopeful that with the eradication of the non-native invaders, this function can be restored. We also demonstrate that in some situations such as this one, only minimal biological and ecological information is needed to successfully eradicate invasive species. The benefits of collecting data on non-native species poised to invade can be weighed against the costs, especially if such research extends the time for the species to reproduce and potentially expand its geographic range. We hope this effort may serve as a model for early removals of non-native species before they spread into ecosystems causing damage that may not be reversible.
