For example, FISK identifies several globally invasive fishes (e.g. Although these methods can be successful in hazard identification and the provision of initial risk estimates, more specialized, taxon- and region-specific data and tools are necessary to assess risk of invasion in a comprehensive manner (Verbrugge et al., 2012). The ERSS focuses solely on climate matching and invasion history. Tools like the AS-ISK and FISK utilize a wide variety of factors related to risk, including some life history traits, but focus more on the three most predictive factors across taxa and regions, propagule pressure, climate matching and invasion history (Hayes & Barry, 2008). Another generic risk screening tool in use in the United States is the Ecological Risk Screening Summary (ERSS) developed by the U.S. This is evidenced by the recent development of the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK Copp et al., 2016), a generalized risk screening tool based on the more taxonomically specialized Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit (FISK Copp et al., 2009 Lawson et al., 2013). There has also been a recent trend towards more general risk assessments that can be applied to any taxonomic group at a variety of spatial scales, rendering life history traits and strategies less relevant to risk assessment. Goldfish Carassius auratus, and Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). Pike Killifish Belonesox belizanus), and some non-natives that have failed to establish are well-known invaders across the globe (e.g. Invasion history is perhaps more useful, however, several established non-native fish species in Florida have little to no prior invasion history (e.g. Most of the non-native fishes that have failed to establish self-sustaining populations have similar propagule pressure and climate match to those that have successfully established. These factors alone, however, are not reliable at separating non-native fish species that establish versus those that fail to establish self-sustaining populations in peninsular Florida. Across taxa and regions, only three factors seem to provide consistent predictive ability – propagule pressure, climate match and invasion history (Hayes & Barry, 2008). Criticism primarily stems from the fact that there are no biological traits that consistently predict invasion across taxa and regions (Garcia-Berthou, 2007 Hayes & Barry, 2008). However, the use of biological traits to predict or describe invasion by non-native species is debated in the recent invasion ecology literature (Capellini et al., 2015 Garcia-Berthou, 2007 Sakai et al., 2001).
![florida freshwater fish florida freshwater fish](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/84/a7/e8/84a7e867134594da64b27416d42b885c.jpg)
![florida freshwater fish florida freshwater fish](https://microfishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/11GoldenTopminnow.jpg)
Life history theory provides a strong framework for making inferences about non-native species invasion success (Capellini et al., 2015 Fournier et al., 2019). Further analysis of these traits as predictors of establishment and invasion success is needed, and regional risk assessments of non-native fishes will benefit from inclusion of several traits highlighted in this study. Understanding the life history strategies and traits that aid in the prediction of non-native fish invasiveness is key for effective risk assessment and management. Triangular life history model results showed that most successfully established species such as those in the family Cichlidae are equilibrium strategists with a high degree of parental care, low-to-intermediate fecundity and a larger maturation size. Parental care was particularly important, with only one of the established species lacking parental care. Our analyses of life history traits showed that successful species have a high investment in their offspring and tend to be larger bodied. We also modelled overall life history traits of those fishes according to the triangular model by Winemiller and Rose to compare overall strategies among the three different groups and tested for significant trait differences between failed and established fishes. We conducted a factor analysis to evaluate 21 life history traits for 125 fishes in three different groups: native fishes, non-native fish species currently established in Florida and introduced fishes that failed to establish in Florida. Our goal was to identify which life history traits may be useful for predicting which non-native freshwater fishes might successfully establish populations in Peninsular Florida.
![florida freshwater fish florida freshwater fish](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/01/69/03/0169032b0fe4ca8dc41daf54d6ea04ec.jpg)
Life history traits have been used to predict the risk of establishment for non-native fish in several regions of the world and parts of the United States, but not yet for Florida despite the elevated risk of establishment in the state due to many invasion pathways and favourable climate.
![florida freshwater fish florida freshwater fish](https://www.howtocatchanyfish.com/uploads/8/8/0/2/8802125/img-1709_orig.jpg)
Non-native fishes threaten native biodiversity worldwide.