Invasion status of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Argentinean inland waters

MAIZTEGUI, T.; BAIGÚN, C. R. M.; GARCIA DE SOUZA, J. R.; MINOTTI, P. ; COLAUTTI, D. C.

JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2016 vol. 89 p. 417 - 430

0022-1112

The common carp Cyprinus carpio is an invasive fish species that is considered a nuisance in several parts of the world. In Argentina, C. carpio was introduced in the nineteenth century, and although its presence has been documented in many basins, comprehensive information about its invasion status is not available. This study documents the presence of C. carpio in 119 natural environments and 49 artificial habitats, showing an exponential increment of invaded locations over time. Geographic expansion patterns revealed that since its initial introduction in the mid-nineteenth century, only after 1970 the species records demonstrate an increment in the central portion of the country and subsequent expansion after 1990 to the north, west and south. Using an environmental similarity index it was determined that more than half of the country offers good conditions for C. carpio establishment. Environmental factors and anthropogenic impacts are relevant drivers that can account for the current and future distribution of carp in Argentina.