America is under siege by many harmful non-native species of plants, animals, and microorganisms. More than 6,500 nonindigenous species are now established in the United States, posing risks to native species, valued ecosystems, and human and wildlife health. These invaders extract a huge cost. The current annual environmental, economic, and health-related costs of invasive species exceed those of all other natural disasters combined.
USGS plays an important role in Federal efforts to combat invasive species in natural and semi-natural areas through early detection and assessment of newly established invaders, monitoring of invading populations; improving understanding of the ecology of invaders and factors in the resistance of habitats to invasion; and development and testing of prevention, management, and control methods. USGS invasive species research encompasses all significant groups of invasive organisms in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in all regions of the United States. Working collaboratively with partner agencies and organizations, USGS provides the tools, technology, and information supporting efforts to prevent, contain, control, and manage invasive species nationwide.
The USGS Invasive Species Program provides methodologies and information to address threats to ecological systems and native species due to the introduction and spread of invasive species. The program's Five-Year Strategic Plan outlines goals, strategies, and requirements for significantly increasing efforts on the part of USGS during fiscal years 2005 - 2009, helping the Department of the Interior managers and the Nation respond more rapidly and effectively to the growing threat of invasive species in U.S. ecosystems.
Research components of the Invasive Species Program include:
This guide contains an identification key to the eleven foreign nonindigenous cyprinids, as well as species accounts that include physical characteristics, reproduction, ecology, and distribution in its native habitat and in the United States.
Biologists, resource managers and others interested in nonindigenous fishes will find it a useful tool for identifying foreign cyprinids, some of which superficially resemble their native North American counterparts. Currently available online (Click Here), and in Acrobat PDF format: 20 megabyte file. Get Acrobat Reader.
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
Schofield, P.J., Williams, J.D., Nico, L.G., Fuller, P., and Thomas, M.R., 2005, 
