This paper presents the first overview of aquatic alien invertebrate species (AIS) in the three major river basins (Tigris, Euphrates and Shatt Al-Arab) in southern Iraq. The results are based on field studies undertaken in 2021 and 2022. Thirteen AIS have been recorded. Three of them are “old invaders” (first recorded in the early 19th century to 1970), two species are “intermediate invaders” (first recorded between 1970 to 1990) and eight are “new invaders” (first recorded after 2000). The number of AIS has been growing substantially since 2000. The highest AIS number is recorded in the Shatt-Al-Arab (11 species), a middle number in the Euphrates basin (10 species) and the lowest number in the Tigris (6 species). On the whole, 31% of the recorded species originate from Southern America or Northern America, 23% from Asia, 8% from Southern Europe, Africa and Southern Asia, the Atlantic Ocean, Africa and Northern America, 7% from New Zealand, and the Caspian Sea. Most AIS were likely introduced unintentionally. The study demonstrated that many AIS, like e.g. Macrobrachium nipponense, have been collected both from the upper and the lower sections of the study rivers providing successful examples of aquatic AIS that can establish populations in fresh and brackish waters. The compiled species list is a first step toward the management of the invasive species that are now present in rivers of southern Iraq. It provides a basis for the creation of monitoring programs, early detection initiatives, and quick responses to prevent future invasions in the Tigris-Euphrates and Shatt Al-Arab basins.
Naser MD, Y.A. (2024). Aquatic non-native invertebrate species in large river basins of southern Iraq. BIOINVASIONS RECORDS, 13(4), 963-978 [10.3391/bir.2024.13.4.10].
Aquatic non-native invertebrate species in large river basins of southern Iraq
Lo Brutto S;
2024-12-01
Abstract
This paper presents the first overview of aquatic alien invertebrate species (AIS) in the three major river basins (Tigris, Euphrates and Shatt Al-Arab) in southern Iraq. The results are based on field studies undertaken in 2021 and 2022. Thirteen AIS have been recorded. Three of them are “old invaders” (first recorded in the early 19th century to 1970), two species are “intermediate invaders” (first recorded between 1970 to 1990) and eight are “new invaders” (first recorded after 2000). The number of AIS has been growing substantially since 2000. The highest AIS number is recorded in the Shatt-Al-Arab (11 species), a middle number in the Euphrates basin (10 species) and the lowest number in the Tigris (6 species). On the whole, 31% of the recorded species originate from Southern America or Northern America, 23% from Asia, 8% from Southern Europe, Africa and Southern Asia, the Atlantic Ocean, Africa and Northern America, 7% from New Zealand, and the Caspian Sea. Most AIS were likely introduced unintentionally. The study demonstrated that many AIS, like e.g. Macrobrachium nipponense, have been collected both from the upper and the lower sections of the study rivers providing successful examples of aquatic AIS that can establish populations in fresh and brackish waters. The compiled species list is a first step toward the management of the invasive species that are now present in rivers of southern Iraq. It provides a basis for the creation of monitoring programs, early detection initiatives, and quick responses to prevent future invasions in the Tigris-Euphrates and Shatt Al-Arab basins.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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