(Ellender and Weyl 2014). This is problematic, as reported impacts cover all aspects
of biological organisation from loss of genetic diversity resulting from hybridisation
to native species extirpations resulting from direct predation by alien predatory
fishes (Ellender and Weyl 2014). Preventing new invasions and containing existing
ones is therefore important.
An examination of the current invasion status of freshwater biota and an analysis
of the pathways associated with them (Fig. 6.8) provides some important insights
Fig. 6.8 (a) Number of naturalised aquatic biota in South African freshwaters by decade, and (b)
the pathway associated with their introduction into the country. Decade refers to the date that a
taxon was shown to be present in the country
6 Alien Freshwater Fauna in South Africa
177
of biological organisation from loss of genetic diversity resulting from hybridisation
to native species extirpations resulting from direct predation by alien predatory
fishes (Ellender and Weyl 2014). Preventing new invasions and containing existing
ones is therefore important.
An examination of the current invasion status of freshwater biota and an analysis
of the pathways associated with them (Fig. 6.8) provides some important insights
Fig. 6.8 (a) Number of naturalised aquatic biota in South African freshwaters by decade, and (b)
the pathway associated with their introduction into the country. Decade refers to the date that a
taxon was shown to be present in the country
6 Alien Freshwater Fauna in South Africa
177