In a previous post I discussed aquatic nuisance species and some of the damages they cause. In 2007, the Missouri Department of Conservation developed its Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan. The plan identified 12 nuisance species already present in Missouri, and fourteen more poised to enter the state.
The list is presented below. Information about these species and other problem species identified by the Missouri Department of Conservation can be found on the Department’s website: MDC Home Page » Discover Nature – Field Guide » Invasive Species.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Comments |
| AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES (ANS) CURRENTLY FOUND IN MISSOURI | ||
| Plants | ||
| Dotted duckweed | Landoltia punctata | Currently found in the St. Louis area and in southeast and western Missouri |
| Eurasian watermilfoil | Myriophyllum spicatum | Widespread. May be eliminated from existing habitats with great difficulty |
| Brittle naiad | Naias minor | Common in ponds and lakes statewide. |
| Purple loostrife | Lythrum salicaria | Common in north Missouri and the Missouri River valley |
| Mussels | ||
| Zebra mussel | Dreissena polymorpha | Currently limited to Lake of the Ozarks, Taneycomo and the Missouri and Mississippi rivers |
| Mollusks | ||
| Asian clam | Corbicula fluminia | Common throughout Missouri. Low feasibility for eliminating from existing habitats |
| Crustaceans | ||
| Water flea | Daphnia lumholtzi | Common in large lakes |
| Fish | ||
| Common carp | Cyprinus carpio | Widespread. May damage aquatic habitats when present in large numbers |
| Silver carp | Hypophthalmichthys molitrix | Common in most large rivers. May compete with native species. Jumps and may injure boaters and water skiers |
| Grass carp | Ctenopharyngodon idella | Common throughout Missouri. Can be difficult to manage in ponds and lakes without eliminating aquatic vegetation |
| Bighead carp | Hypophthalmichthys nobilis | Common in most large rivers |
| White perch | Morono americana | Found in Missouri and Mississippi rivers and tributaries in low numbers. Becomes overabundant in oxbows and could pose a threat to some resident fish communities if introduced. May invade large reservoirs |
| AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES (ANS) LIKELY TO ENTER MISSOURI | ||
| Water hyacinth | Eichhornia crassipes | Must develop cold water tolerance to survive in Missouri |
| Hydrilla | Hydrilla verticillata | Found in Arkansas and Tennessee |
| New Zealand mudsnail | Potamopyrgus antipodarum | Likely import via boots, waders, boats, etc. |
| Quagga Mussel | Dreissena burgensis | Only one (1) individual found in Mississippi River in 2002 |
| Rusty crayfish | Orconectes rusticus | Introduction to the wild via bait buckets is very likely |
| Northern | Channa argus | Possible introduction to the wild via aquarium releases |
| Black carp | Mylopharyngodon piceus | Predator on mussels and mollusks. May already exist in Missouri and Mississippi rivers and their large tributaries |
| Ruffe | Gymnocephalus cemuus | Invasion via Great Lakes and Illinois River possible |
| Round goby | Neogobius melanostomus | Invasion from Great Lakes via the Illinois River is possible |
| Didymo | Didymosphenia geminata | Invasion from Arkansas waters is likely |
| Spiny water fkea | Bythotrephes ederstroemi | Introduction by water or wild caught bait transfer from Great Lakes is possible |
| Fishhook water flee | Cercopagis pengoi | Introduction by water or wild caught bait transfer from Great Lakes is possible |
| Whirling disease | Myxobolus cerebralis | Introduction by live salmonids transferred from the west or by contaminated gear is likely |
| VHS | Novirhabdovirus sp. | Water, bait, and fish transfers are likely to introduce VHS from the Great Lakes states |
Source:
Missouri Department of Conservation Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan. (2007). ANS Task Force Home Page » Documents » State and Regional Plans » Missouri Department of Conservation Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan. http://www.anstaskforce.gov/State%20Plans/MO_ANS_Management_Plan.pdf.
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