User:Mmurdockgcsu/Aquatic invasive species in Canada

Grass Carp
See also: Ctenopharyngodon idella

Grass Carp were first introduced in the United States in the early 1960s for biological control of aquatic plants. Though this was successful, these carp have spread to Lake Erie as well as other parts of the Great Lakes. Grass Carp consume vegetation necessary for native fish in these areas. Removal of this vegetation also alters nesting areas for waterfowl. Overall, this leads to a decline in biological productivity and energy flow throughout the ecosystem. Economically, this destruction results in shoreline erosion, accumulation of sediment, and problems within water management. Grass Carp are one many types of Carp, such as the Silver Carp and the Bighead Carp. Grass Carp can be identified by their wide, scaleless heads, very short snouts, and lack of barbels. They are dark grey in color with a slight golden shine on their sides and white towards the belly.



Spiny Waterflea
See also: Bythotrephes longimanus

Spiny waterfleas are invasive microorganisms that inhabit both fresh and saltwater habitats; they were first reported as an invasive species in Canada in 1982. They traveled to Lake Ontario from Eurasia via ballast water from ocean liners, which are transportation passenger ships, and typically spread faster in areas with higher human interference. Spiny waterfleas have spread to Lake Ontario, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, and Lake Eerie; they can also be found in over 179 Ontario inland bodies of water as well as other non native areas in Europe. These predacious zooplanktivores have reduced zooplankton populations as well as biodiversity in the areas they have invaded. This, in turn, affects organisms in other trophic levels that depend upon these zooplankton and the organisms that eat them, such as walleye; the health of these species are also impacted by the tail of the spiny waterflea which can sometimes be dangerous.

Golden Star Tunicate
See also: Botryllus schlosseri

Golden Star Tunicate are observed in much of the world though they are invasive to eastern Canada and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. They can be identified by their flower or star shaped zooids, their clear coat, and their gelatinous texture. They negatively affect shellfish, bottom-dwelling fish, and aquaculture farmers. This is because they directly compete for the same resources, whether they be food or space. Golden Star Tunicate can reproduce by free swimming larvae, or by the creation of a fragment which can grow into a full colony. Boats, docks, and other sea structures allow the Golden Star Tunicate to spread more effectively.