Threats to UK freshwaters under climate change: Commonly traded aquatic ornamental species and their potential pathogens and parasites

Abstract

The aquatic ornamental industry, whilst providing socio-economic benefits, is a known introduction pathway for non-native species, which if invasive, can cause direct impacts to native species and ecosystems and also drive disease emergence by extending the geographic range of associated parasites and pathogens and by facilitating host-switching, spillover and spill-back. Although current UK temperatures are typically below those necessary for the survival and establishment of commonly-traded tropical, and some sub-tropical, non-native ornamental species, the higher water temperatures predicted under climate-change scenarios are likely to increase the probability of survival and establishment. Our study aimed primarily to identify which of the commonly-traded non-native ornamental aquatic species (fish and invertebrates), and their pathogens and parasites, are likely to benefit in terms of survival and establishment in UK waters under predicted future climate conditions. Out of 233 ornamental species identified as traded in the UK, 24 were screened, via literature search, for potential parasites and pathogens (PPPs) due to their increased risk of survival and establishment under climate change. We found a total of 155 PPPs, the majority of which were platyhelminths, viruses and bacteria. While many of the identified PPPs were already known to occur in UK waters, PPPs currently absent from UK waters and with zoonotic potential were also identified. Results are discussed in the context of understanding potential impact, in addition to provision of evidence to inform risk assessment and mitigation approaches.

Ornamental fish in the South African pet shop trade: potential risk to natural aquatic ecosystems

“…The pet trade is identified as a billion-dollar growing business globally (Pimentel et al 2005;King 2019; Gippet and Bertelsmeier 2021;Dickey et al 2023). Trade is stimulated by free trade policies (Jenkins 1996), globalised markets (Margolis et al 2005;King 2019;Guilder et al 2022) and an increase in online shopping and options (Kay and Hoyle 2001;Borges et al 2021). The nature of the business has aided the simple and fast trade of species between distant locations, increasing the risk of the introduction and establishment of alien species and disease spread (Dehnen-Schmutz et al 2007;Lockwood et al 2019;Guilder et al 2022).…”

“…Trade is stimulated by free trade policies (Jenkins 1996), globalised markets (Margolis et al 2005;King 2019;Guilder et al 2022) and an increase in online shopping and options (Kay and Hoyle 2001;Borges et al 2021). The nature of the business has aided the simple and fast trade of species between distant locations, increasing the risk of the introduction and establishment of alien species and disease spread (Dehnen-Schmutz et al 2007;Lockwood et al 2019;Guilder et al 2022). Although there is trade in many taxa, freshwater and marine fish species make up the majority of animals being traded as pets and ornamentals (Smith et al 2009;Farrah et al 2019;Gippet and Bertelsmeier 2021).…”