(Create in Google Drive) Invasive Species Project Student Name Date

Lates niloticus (Nile perch)

Classification Scientific Name: Lates niloticus Common Name: Nile perch Order: Perciformes Class: Osteichthyes Phylum: Chordata Kingdom: Animalia

Distribution Where is it from? Where, when, and why was it introduced? Where can it be found today? Native to Lake Chad, Nile River, Zaire River, and Niger River Introduced to Lake Victoria in 1950s Now present in huge numbers throughout Lake Victoria

Effects on people How do people use or interact with this species? What, if any, consequences are there for humans? Huge increase in food availability for locals Decline of small fisheries and increase in large fishing operations Increase in fish exports, providing more money and jobs

Effects on ecosystems What changes have been observed in the ecosystem since the species’ introduction? How have other organisms been affected? Extinction of 200 species of cichlids Four-fold increase in algae levels, which has reduced oxygen availability within the lake Increase in number of insects (prey of cichlids) Deforestation (wood needed to process Nile perch)

Reasons for success What information can you find about the species that might explain why it is successful in its new environment? (e.g. habitat needs, role within ecosystem, etc.) No natural predators in Lake Victoria Large, powerful fish-easily catches fish and shrimp native to Lake Victoria

Issues for the future Are there attempts to control the growth or spread of this species? What are the options? What are the trade-offs of each of these options? Governments and many local people do not wish to remove Nile perch Population of Nile perch may change depending on its food availability