Risk screening of non-native suckermouth armoured catfishes Pterygoplichthys spp. in the River Dinh (Vietnam) using two related decision-support tools

Abstract

The invasion risk of non-native suckermouth catfishes Pterygoplichthys spp. in the River Dinh (Vietnam) was evaluated using two related decision-support tools, namely the Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit (FISK) and the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK). The results of screenings obtained independently by three assessors using both toolkits were evaluated for consistency, and compared with a screening study previously obtained for Vietnam as a wide risk assessment area. Both FISK and AS-ISK based screenings were shown to provide adequate and potentially important outcomes in terms of risk of invasiveness and were consistent amongst assessors and between toolkits. The invasion risk of Pterygoplichthys in the River Ding was found to be high and the traits of these fishes that influence their success of becoming established were considered. Some aspects in the use of FISK and AS-ISK as decision-support tools as part of the overall risk analysis of species’ invasions for large risk assessment areas are discussed.