Homogenization of Fish Faunas across the United States

Fish faunas across the continental United States have become more similar through time because of widespread introductions of a group of cosmopolitan species intended to enhance food and sport fisheries. On average, pairs of states have 15.4 more species in common now than before European settlement...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2000-05, Vol.288 (5467), p.854-856
Main Author:	Rahel, Frank J.
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Analysis Animal populations Animal, plant and microbial ecology Animals Applied ecology Biodiversity Biological and medical sciences Biological diversity Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife Ecological invasion Ecosystem Endemic species Environmental degradation: ecosystems survey and restoration Fauna Fish Fisheries Fishes Freshwater Freshwater fishes Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology Homogenization Ichthyological research Ichthyology Introduced species Pisces Species Species diversity Species Specificity Trout United States USA Zoology
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Summary:	Fish faunas across the continental United States have become more similar through time because of widespread introductions of a group of cosmopolitan species intended to enhance food and sport fisheries. On average, pairs of states have 15.4 more species in common now than before European settlement of North America. The 89 pairs of states that formerly had no species in common now share an average of 25.2 species. Introductions have played a larger role than extirpations in homogenizing fish faunas. Western and New England states have received the most introductions, which is a reflection of the small number of native fishes in these areas considered desireable gamefish by settlers.
ISSN:	0036-8075 1095-9203