Diseases, Parasites and Pathogens as Invasive Species: A Brief History from GLANSIS

Session: 01. - Disease, Parasites, and Pathogens of the Great Lakes and Freshwater Ecosystems

Doran Mason, NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab, [email protected]
Rochelle Sturtevant, GLERL/NOAA, Sea Grant Extension, [email protected]
Ed Rutherford, NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, [email protected]
Felix Martinez, NOAA/National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, [email protected]

Abstract

Introduction of new fish diseases, parasites and pathogens into the Great Lakes is of critical concern to fisheries management. Among the 187 established species tracked by the Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System (GLANSIS – https://www.glerl.noaa.gov/glansis/) are 21 species infecting fish. Beginning with Icthyocotylurus pileatus (a digenean fluke) which was first reported in 1929 the list includes a diversity of taxa – viruses, bacteria, protozoans, platyhelminths and copepods.  Distribution data for these species remains sparse in comparison to most other  invaders, but we are able to provide a timeline of probable first introductions for each of these species.  Critical vectors include aquaculture, aquarium release, hitchhiking on a host fish (stocked or ballast water), and recreational boating.  Eight of these species (38%) are assessed as moderate-to-high for environmental and/or socioeconomic impact.  This is similar to our finding for the overall list (31% of the 187 total species assessed have moderate-to-high environmental and/or socioeconomic impact), indicating that diseases, parasites and pathogens are neither more nor less likely to cause significant impacts than other groups of invaders.  

1. Keyword
invasive species

2. Keyword
fish diseases

3. Keyword
risk assessment