TY  - JOUR
A1  - Jourdan, Jonas
A1  - Riesch, Rüdiger
A1  - Cunze, Sarah
T1  - Off to new shores: Climate niche expansion in invasive mosquitofish (Gambusia spp.)
T2  - Ecology and evolution
N2  - Aim: Formerly introduced for their presumed value in controlling mosquito-borne diseases, the two mosquitofish Gambusia affinis and G. holbrooki (Poeciliidae) are now among the world's most widespread invasive alien species, negatively impacting aquatic ecosystems around the world. These inconspicuous freshwater fish are, once their presence is noticed, difficult to eradicate. It is, therefore, of utmost importance to assess their geographic potential and to identify their likely ability to persist under novel climatic conditions.
Location Global.
Methods We build species distribution models using occurrence data from the native and introduced distribution ranges to identify putative niche shifts and further ascertain the areas climatically suitable for the establishment and possible spread of mosquitofish.
Results We found significant niche expansions into climatic regions outside their natural climatic conditions, emphasizing the importance of integrating climatic niches of both native and invasive ranges into projections. In particular, there was a marked shift toward tropical regions in Asia and a clear niche shift of European G. holbrooki. This ecological flexibility partly explains the massive success of the two species, and substantially increases the risk for further range expansion. We also showed that the potential for additional expansion resulting from climate change is enormous—especially in Europe.
Main conclusions Despite the successful invasion history and ongoing range expansions, many countries still lack proper preventive measures. Thus, we urge policy makers to carefully evaluate the risk both mosquitofish pose to a particular area and to initiate appropriate management strategies.
KW  - Gambusia affinis
KW  - Gambusia holbrooki
KW  - global climate change
KW  - invasion risk assessment
KW  - potential invasion area
KW  - species distribution model
KW  - invasive fish
Y1  - 2021
UR  - http://publikationen.ub.uni-frankfurt.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/79311
UR  - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:hebis:30:3-793113
SN  - 2045-7758
N1  - Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL. WOA Institution: N/A Blended DEAL: Projekt DEAL.
VL  - 11
IS  - 24
SP  - 18369
EP  - 18400
PB  - John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
CY  - [Erscheinungsort nicht ermittelbar]
ER  -