Range expansion of the exotic zooplankter Cercopagis pengoi (Ostroumov) into western Lake Erie and Muskegon Lake

Author ORCID Identifier

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7264-732X

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2002

Publication Title

Journal of Great Lakes Research

Volume

28

Issue

4

First Page

698

Last Page

701

Abstract

Previously reported from Lakes Ontario and Michigan, the nonindigenous zooplankter Cercopagis pengoi was found for the first time in western Lake Erie, the Detroit River, and Muskegon Lake, Michigan, during summer 2001. A native of the Ponto-Caspian region, C. pengoi is currently expanding its range in North America. Analysis of mitochondrial gene ND5 sequences confirmed that the Lake Erie haplotype is identical to that reported previously from Lakes Ontario and Michigan and the Finger Lakes, New York. These findings support the hypothesis that C. pengoi's range expansion in the Great Lakes likely resulted from inter-lake transfer of ballast water, rather than from additional introductions from European locations. Pleasure-craft traffic operating between Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake is likely responsible for this inland transfer of Cercopagis, a trend that likely will increase due to human activities.

DOI

10.1016/S0380-1330(02)70615-1

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