Jeffrey L. Kline¹, William F. Loftus², Kevin Kotun¹, Danielle Banford¹ and Joel C. Trexler^3
1Everglades National Park, South Florida Natural Resources Center, Homestead, FL, USA
²U. S. Geological Survey, Florida Integrated Science Center, Everglades National Park Field Station, Homestead, FL, USA
³Florida International University, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Miami, FL, USA

Non-indigenous (NI) fishes are a concern to managers and scientists in Everglades National Park (ENP) because they may adversely affect native wetland communities and impede the fulfillment of park-management objectives. By the mid-1980s, seven species of NI fishes had become established in ENP; from then until 2000, no additional NI species were found during our studies in ENP. Since 2000, we have collected or observed six additional species of introduced fishes in the park, demonstrating increased colonization of the region. During the same period (since 2000), two native fishes, previously not collected in ENP, colonized the park from the northern Everglades. Here we report the identity of those species, the factors aiding their range expansion, routes of colonization, and discuss unanticipated effects of restoration actions.

Several widespread sampling programs employing electrofishing, minnow traps, and throw traps have provided information to show that, since 2000, the African jewelfish, the butterfly peacock and jaguar guapote cichlids, peacock spiny eel, and the Orinoco sailfin and brown hoplo catfishes have colonized ENP. These species were established previously in the canal system east of ENP. The grass pickerel and pirate perch are the two native species moving southward. The timing of introductions coincided with structural and operational changes in water management in southern Florida, such as the Interim Operational Plan (IOP), that have redirected water deliveries to protect endangered-species habitat and re-water drained wetlands.

NI fishes that enter ENP disperse and increase in numbers at different rates. Of the newly recorded species in ENP, the African jewelfish has expanded in range and numbers rapidly, whereas the jaguar guapote cichlid has progressed more slowly. These differences may relate to the adaptability of each species to available habitats. Of the natural habitats sampled, tidal creeks and karst solution holes have the greatest species richness and relative abundance of NI fish species. They are often the only fishes that survive in deep solution holes in the Rocky Glades through the end of the dry season.

Prevention and early detection are key components in the management of NI species, because few tools for control are available. Additional NI species (e.g., Asian swamp eel, grass carp, and various cichlids) are established in the eastern canal system, from which dispersal into the Everglades is likely. If NI fishes are not considered in the development, construction, and operation of water-management structures, they may compromise the restoration of natural areas.

Contact Information: Jeffrey Kline, Everglades National Park, 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034, USA, Phone: 305-242-7825, Fax: 305-242-7836, Email: Jeffrey_kline@nps.gov

(This abstract is from the 2006 Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration Conference.)

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