Global freshwater fish invasion linked to the presence of closely related species

Meng Xu (), Shao-peng Li, Chunlong Liu, Pablo A. Tedesco, Jaimie T. A. Dick, Miao Fang, Hui Wei, Fandong Yu, Lu Shu, Xuejie Wang, Dangen Gu () and Xidong Mu ()
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Meng Xu: Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences
Shao-peng Li: School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University
Chunlong Liu: Ministry of Education, College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China
Pablo A. Tedesco: UMR EDB, IRD 253, CNRS 5174, UPS, Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier
Jaimie T. A. Dick: School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast
Miao Fang: Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences
Hui Wei: Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences
Fandong Yu: Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences
Lu Shu: Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences
Xuejie Wang: Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences
Dangen Gu: Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences
Xidong Mu: Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract In the Anthropocene, non-native freshwater fish introductions and translocations have occurred extensively worldwide. However, their global distribution patterns and the factors influencing their establishment remain poorly understood. We analyze a comprehensive database of 14953 freshwater fish species across 3119 river basins and identify global hotspots for exotic and translocated non-native fishes. We show that both types of non-native fishes are more likely to occur when closely related to native fishes. This finding is consistent across measures of phylogenetic relatedness, biogeographical realms, and highly invaded countries, even after accounting for the influence of native diversity. This contradicts Darwin’s naturalization hypothesis, suggesting that the presence of close relatives more often signifies suitable habitats than intensified competition, predicting the establishment of non-native fish species. Our study provides a comprehensive assessment of global non-native freshwater fish patterns and their phylogenetic correlates, laying the groundwork for understanding and predicting future fish invasions in freshwater ecosystems.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45736-8

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