The Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) in Saskatchewan, Canada: current distribution and life history traits of a novel invasive species
Abstract Background The Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) is an invasive fish species from Eurasia that was first found in North America in the Canadian province of Alberta in the early 2000s. In 2018, an established population of Prussian carp was discovered in the neighboring province of Saskatche...
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2025-03-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40850-025-00228-0 |
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| author | Jayme Menard Shayna N. Cossette Julee Stewart Christopher M. Somers |
| author_facet | Jayme Menard Shayna N. Cossette Julee Stewart Christopher M. Somers |
| author_sort | Jayme Menard |
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| description | Abstract Background The Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) is an invasive fish species from Eurasia that was first found in North America in the Canadian province of Alberta in the early 2000s. In 2018, an established population of Prussian carp was discovered in the neighboring province of Saskatchewan, raising concern for additional spread in Canada and to the USA. Results Prussian carp in Saskatchewan have colonized the South Saskatchewan River and tributaries and are moving towards additional connected systems to the northeast. Direct access to most of southern Saskatchewan and the USA is currently prevented only by the Qu’Appelle Dam on the South Saskatchewan River at Lake Diefenbaker. Prussian carp populations in Saskatchewan were age-stratified and ranged from hatch size (20 mm) to a maximum of 42.5 cm total length. Aging using otoliths and scales was unreliable, but the largest fish collected were likely > 10 years old. Saskatchewan Prussian carp had mixed ploidies with diploid, triploid, and tetraploid individuals intermixed. In Lake Diefenbaker, only adult female and juvenile fish were detected, but males were present in the Anerley Lakes at low relative abundance. Emergence of young of the year Prussian carp began in early July and continued through August, indicating an extended period of reproduction; however, most spawning likely occurred during mid-June. The timing of spawning overlaps with that of a variety of native sucker and shiner species, but sperm donors for potential gynogenesis remain unidentified. Conclusion Our findings suggest that invasive Prussian carp are well established in Saskatchewan and will likely use provincial waterbodies as a conduit to colonize more areas in North America. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4d4fc4e4efbc4bee8bff4aa35bd173c1 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2056-3132 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-4d4fc4e4efbc4bee8bff4aa35bd173c12025-08-20T02:49:35ZengBMCBMC Zoology2056-31322025-03-0110111510.1186/s40850-025-00228-0The Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) in Saskatchewan, Canada: current distribution and life history traits of a novel invasive speciesJayme Menard0Shayna N. Cossette1Julee Stewart2Christopher M. Somers3Department of Biology, University of ReginaDepartment of Biology, University of ReginaDepartment of Biology, University of ReginaDepartment of Biology, University of ReginaAbstract Background The Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) is an invasive fish species from Eurasia that was first found in North America in the Canadian province of Alberta in the early 2000s. In 2018, an established population of Prussian carp was discovered in the neighboring province of Saskatchewan, raising concern for additional spread in Canada and to the USA. Results Prussian carp in Saskatchewan have colonized the South Saskatchewan River and tributaries and are moving towards additional connected systems to the northeast. Direct access to most of southern Saskatchewan and the USA is currently prevented only by the Qu’Appelle Dam on the South Saskatchewan River at Lake Diefenbaker. Prussian carp populations in Saskatchewan were age-stratified and ranged from hatch size (20 mm) to a maximum of 42.5 cm total length. Aging using otoliths and scales was unreliable, but the largest fish collected were likely > 10 years old. Saskatchewan Prussian carp had mixed ploidies with diploid, triploid, and tetraploid individuals intermixed. In Lake Diefenbaker, only adult female and juvenile fish were detected, but males were present in the Anerley Lakes at low relative abundance. Emergence of young of the year Prussian carp began in early July and continued through August, indicating an extended period of reproduction; however, most spawning likely occurred during mid-June. The timing of spawning overlaps with that of a variety of native sucker and shiner species, but sperm donors for potential gynogenesis remain unidentified. Conclusion Our findings suggest that invasive Prussian carp are well established in Saskatchewan and will likely use provincial waterbodies as a conduit to colonize more areas in North America.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40850-025-00228-0Prussian carpInvasive speciesBarriersPloidyPopulation characteristicsCitizen science |
| spellingShingle | Jayme Menard Shayna N. Cossette Julee Stewart Christopher M. Somers The Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) in Saskatchewan, Canada: current distribution and life history traits of a novel invasive species BMC Zoology Prussian carp Invasive species Barriers Ploidy Population characteristics Citizen science |
| title | The Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) in Saskatchewan, Canada: current distribution and life history traits of a novel invasive species |
| title_full | The Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) in Saskatchewan, Canada: current distribution and life history traits of a novel invasive species |
| title_fullStr | The Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) in Saskatchewan, Canada: current distribution and life history traits of a novel invasive species |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) in Saskatchewan, Canada: current distribution and life history traits of a novel invasive species |
| title_short | The Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) in Saskatchewan, Canada: current distribution and life history traits of a novel invasive species |
| title_sort | prussian carp carassius gibelio in saskatchewan canada current distribution and life history traits of a novel invasive species |
| topic | Prussian carp Invasive species Barriers Ploidy Population characteristics Citizen science |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40850-025-00228-0 |
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