The aquarium trade: A potential risk for nonnative plant introductions in Connecticut, USA

Abstract

The aquarium trade has been shown to be a source for introductions of nonnative aquatic macrophyte species. Improvements are needed in identification, labeling, and retailer awareness of banned aquatic plants. In the state of Connecticut, United States, 20 nonnative macrophytes are banned from sale by state statute. At least 13 of these species are already established in the state's lakes, while the remainder are either present in near-shore wetlands or absent but thought to be capable of naturalizing. We documented the sale of banned plants in the Connecticut aquarium trade by visiting 23 retailers in 2008 and 47 retailers in 2010. Plants that resembled Connecticut's banned species were purchased and identified using standard morphological techniques. In 2010, we also employed DNA sequencing to aid in plant identification. We found that nearly 30% of stores sold banned aquatic plants including Cabomba caroliniana, Egeria densa, Myriophyllum aquaticum, and Myriophyllum heterophyllum. Cabomba caroliniana represented more than half of the banned species being sold; it was found in 17% of the stores in 2008 and 19% of the stores in 2010. Egeria densa was mislabeled 50% of the time as Egeria najas or Anacharis najas; it was sold in 11% of the stores in 2008 and 17% of the stores in 2010. In 2010, Myriophyllum specimens from 6 stores were unidentifiable using morphological characteristics. Using these techniques, one of the specimens was identified as Myriophyllum heterophyllum. Of the 29 chain stores surveyed, 7% sold banned species compared to 56% of the 27 independent stores.

Global Change Sharpens the Double-Edged Sword Effect of Aquatic Alien Plants in China and Beyond

“…Global trade (particularly aquarium and ornamental trade) has been identified as the major pathway for aquatic alien plant introductions, and the rapid spread of propagules and/or seedlings of nonindigenous aquatic plants that caused by trade may accelerate their invasions worldwide (Ding et al, 2008; June-Wells et al, 2012; Oele et al, 2015). High numbers of potential aquatic invaders have been massively introduced into many countries for sale through global trade without strict legal regulations (Thum et al, 2012).…”

Managing Pathways for Introduction of Alien Crayfish: Evaluation of a Midwestern State's Regulations on the Pet Industry

“…Independent pet stores were also reported to have less accurate labeling of species being sold (Chang et al 2009). False species labeling of crayfish in the pet trade as we observed is common and a concern (Keller and Lodge 2007; Chucholl 2013) and is also a common problem with other aquatic invasive organisms (June‐Wells et al 2012). Better labeling, including life history information (e.g., maximum size, level of aggressiveness, diet), could prevent consumers from buying species that they will eventually want to dispose of (Chang et al 2009).…”

Northern hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata ssp. lithuanica): discovery and establishment outside the Connecticut River

“…The aquarium and ornamental trades have led to the introduction of numerous aquatic invasive species in the United States, including hydrilla [ Hydrilla verticillata (L. f.) Royle] (Gettys and Enloe 2016; June-Wells et al 2012; Padilla and Williams 2004). Before 2016, two subspecies within clade B (Tippery et al 2020) were present in the United States: southern hydrilla ( Hydrilla verticillata ssp.…”