Fishes 2018, 3(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes3010014
Amazon Sailfin Catfish Pterygoplichthys pardalis (Loricariidae) in Bangladesh: A Critical Review of Its Invasive Threat to Native and Endemic Aquatic Species
1
Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
2
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Program, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, USA
3
FWC, Florida Fish & Wildlife Research Institute, 100 Eighth Avenue S.E., St. Petersburg, FL 33701-5020, USA
4
Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
†
Retired.
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 29 December 2017 / Revised: 16 February 2018 / Accepted: 20 February 2018 / Published: 22 February 2018
Abstract
The Amazon sailfin catfish Pterygoplichthys pardalis is native to the Amazon River basin. It has since expanded its range to North America, the Caribbean, and more recently to South Asia, as with some of its congeners. Our paper reviews recent data from Bangladesh, clarifies taxonomic identification, and examines the potential effects of P. pardalis and congeneric species on local aquatic ecosystems and elsewhere in South Asia. Range expansions there probably reflect aquarium releases and escapes from aquaculture farms, as exacerbated by dispersal due to storm flooding and in impacted waters like irrigation canals. Given their potential ecosystem-level effects, we also review potential control mechanisms and human use for these invasive loricariids. View Full-TextKeywords:
Hypostominae; suckermouth armored catfishes; sailfin catfishes; ecosystem threats; Brahmaputra River drainage; Bangladesh
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MDPI and ACS Style
Hossain, M.Y.; Vadas, R.L., Jr.; Ruiz-Carus, R.; Galib, S.M. Amazon Sailfin Catfish Pterygoplichthys pardalis (Loricariidae) in Bangladesh: A Critical Review of Its Invasive Threat to Native and Endemic Aquatic Species. Fishes 2018, 3, 14.
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