carpsAB_covers 6/30/15 9:33 AM Page 1 BIGHEADED CARPS (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and H. nobilis) An Annotated Bibliography on Literature Composed from 1970 to 2014 Extension Service Forest and Wildlife Research Center The information given here is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products, trade names, or suppliers are made with the understanding that no endorsement is implied and that no discrimination against other products or suppliers is intended. Copyright 2015 by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved. This publication may be copied and distributed without alteration for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension Service. By Andrew Smith, Extension Associate Biologist, MSU Center for Resolving Human-Wildlife Conflicts. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, Compiled by Andrew L. Smith national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Edited by Steve Miranda, PhD, and Wes Neal, PhD Publication 2890 Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. GARY B. JACKSON, Director (500-06-15) carpsAB_covers 6/30/15 9:33 AM Page 3 Bigheaded Carps (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and H. nobilis): An Annotated Bibliography on Literature Composed from 1970 to 2014 Compiled by Andrew L. Smith Mississippi State University Extension Service Center for Resolving Human-Wildlife Conflicts Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Forest and Wildlife Research Center Edited by Steve Miranda, PhD Wes Neal, PhD Andrew L. Smith is an Invasive Species Extension Associate for the Mississippi State University Extension Service and Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture in the College of Forest Resources at MSU. The author offers special thanks to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center’s Environmental Laboratory team—Jack Killgore, Todd Slack, Bill Lancaster, Catherine Murphy, Steven George, Phil Kirk, Bradley Lewis, and Jay Collins—for their contributions in the field and for allowing us to sample with them and tour their facilities. Thanks also to Duane Chapman (U.S. Geological Survey), Steve Miranda (Mississippi State Uni- versity), and Wes Neal (Mississippi State University) for their contributions in the editorial phase of this bibliography. And thanks to Bruce Leopold for allocating the resources necessary to produce this document. Contents Introduction . 1 Annotated Bibliography . 5 Broad Synopsis Material . 5 Taxonomy (Genetics) . 6 Taxonomy (Morphology & Physiology) . 6 Distribution (Introduced Waters) . 7 Distribution (Expansion) . 9 Natural History (Dispersal & Habitat) . 11 Natural History (Reproduction) . 13 Natural History (Growth, Feeding, & Survival) . 15 Natural History (Mortality & Diseases) . 18 Environmental Effects (Plankton Communities) . 19 Environmental Effects (Fish Communities) . 21 Buffalofish . 23 Gizzard Shad . 23 American Paddlefish . 23 Environmental Effects (Potential Effects) . 24 Economic Effects . 25 Management (Barrier Options & Other Strategies) . 27 Management (Biological Control) . 30 Management (Miscellaneous Management) . 32 Management (Commercial Harvest) . 34 Cited References . 35 Appendix A – List of Species Mentioned in Annotations . 36 Appendix B – Glossary of Terms Used in Bibliography . 37 Author Index . 41 Photo courtesy of Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee Silver carp (top) and bighead carp (bottom) (Photo courtesy of Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee) Introduction The family Cyprinidae is the largest family of freshwater Gavin’s Point Dam, an area of the Missouri River that repre- fish in existence. This diverse family encompasses some sents a large northwest section of the Mississippi River basin 3,268 species of fish, ranging from goldfish (Carassius aura- (Chapman, USGS, personal communication). While some tus) to the widely introduced Asian carp (Nelson 2006). native predatory fish such as blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) Although there are nine species of Asian carp that have been and channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), as well as some introduced outside of their native range, this annotated bibli- piscivorous birds such as brown pelicans (Pelecanus occi- ography will focus primarily on the genus Hypoph- dentalis), white pelicans (P. erythrorhynchos), and great blue thalmichthys (the bigheaded carps), with an emphasis on the herons (Ardea herodias), will prey on bigheaded carps, this two species of most concern in the southeastern United predation is insufficient to control carp populations. Their States: silver carp (H. molitrix) and bighead carp (H. nobilis), evolutionary, natural predators reside in eastern Asia. With regarding their invasive progression throughout North Amer- no natural predators or other mechanisms of control, these ica. Asian carp are considered to be among the most impor- voracious, planktivorous feeders could pose a serious threat tant fish worldwide in terms of aquaculture production. They to native fauna and their environment, potentially altering have been continuously used and introduced outside of their ecosystem dynamics and function (Kolar et al. 2007). Their native range for centuries in applications such as in the fish populations appear to be increasing exponentially (Chick and food industry and in the biological control of plankton in Pegg 2001), and they are aggressively outcompeting and manmade aquatic facilities (reservoirs, sewage treatment possibly displacing native fish from resources such as qual- lagoons, and aquaculture ponds) (Kolar et al. 2007). This ity feeding areas and desirable habitat. Bigheaded carps practice has recently caused an increase in management recruitment is typically strong during years of high water, strategies that protect native fauna and ensure biodiversity, and the high-water years that occurred in the 1990s were ecosystem integrity and function, and human safety. likely important in the subsequent population growth (Chap- Bighead carp and silver carp are heavy-bodied fish with man, personal communication). As their populations con- low-positioned eyes in proximity to their ventral surface. tinue to become denser and expand, availability of resources They have scaleless heads. This genus of carp (Hypoph- that are essential to native species could become less readily thalmichthys) has been used in the United States since the available. If this species reaches carrying capacity, the results early 1970s and has become established in rivers and associ- could be even worse. However, it should be noted that in ated backwaters following its escape from confinement in some areas of the lower Missouri River, where bighead carp the 1970s (silver carp) and 1980s (bighead carp). Reproduc- are quite rare (almost certainly due to competition from sil- ing populations occur throughout much of the Mississippi ver carp), Asian carp have likely approached their carrying River basin; no bigheaded carps have been reported above capacity as the condition factor of these fish has bottomed 1 al. 1986). During early development, most fish species depend on plankton as a nonre- placeable resource. Diminishment of this resource could have harmful cascading effects throughout the trophic tiers of these ecosystems. These impacts are likely to manifest in years to come and could have severe ecological, societal, and economic effects as Asian carp populations continue to expand throughout North America’s water- ways. Asian carp also have effects on human populations, directly and indirectly. The sounds and vibrations emitted by boats cause these fish to leap from the water, which can cause collisions and serious injuries to boaters. Silver and bigheaded carp are heavy-bodied fish and, in nonnative waters of the United States, are capable of reaching a body mass of about 40 pounds for silver carp and about 100 pounds for big- headed carp. Silver and silver x bigheaded carp hybrids (which have the potential to jump and superficially resemble bigheaded out and growth has become much slower in the presence of carp) pose a direct threat to recreational users. According to intense competition. Duane Chapman of the U.S. Geological reports from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Survey reported catching six emaciated bighead carp among injuries have included cuts, broken bones, concussions, black hundreds of silver carp in an area about as far upstream as eyes, and back injuries. While bigheaded carp are typically adult Asian carp will go (personal communication). This sug- more languid than silver carp and do not normally jump from gests that the emaciated bighead carp were likely searching for water that had not yet been filtered by the abundant silver carp, and possi- bly still contained an efficient amount of plankton. However, lower-order streams (i.e., headwaters) are primarily reliant on allochtho- nous energy inputs, and plankton (both phyto- plankton and zooplankton) is not a primary component of the trophic web. Filter-feeding fish are generally absent from lower-order streams because there isn’t much to filter. Fil- ter-feeding fish may be coming to these lower- order streams because the plankton supply in higher-order streams has been depleted. Bighead and silver carp typically feed on