Risk of invasiveness of non-native fishes in the South Caucasus biodiversity and geopolitical hotspot

Aquatic invasions are one of the major threats for freshwater ecosystems. However, in developing countries, knowledge biological invasions, essential implementation appropriate legislation, is often limited if not entirely lacking. In this regard, identification potentially invasive non-native species by risk screening, followed a full assessment ranked as higher risk, enables decision-makers to be informed about extent posed recipient (risk assessment) area. study, 32 extant and horizon fish were screened their invasiveness under current predicted climate conditions South Caucasus – biodiversity geopolitical hotspot that includes countries Armenia, Azerbaijan Georgia. Overall, number very high-risk increased from four (12.5%) 12 (37.5%) conditions. The highest-risk both included already established gibel carp Carassius gibelio topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva , locally translocated pikeperch Sander lucioperca North African catfish Clarias gariepinus . Under conditions, high was also three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki ruffe Gymnocephalus cernua sharpbelly Hemiculter leucisculus Nile tilapia Orechromis niloticus pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides Future research on should conducted country- region-wide account only biodiversity, but critical situation affecting study