Ecology Mississippi River

1 ecology

1.1 fish
1.2 other fauna
1.3 introduced species

ecology

the american paddlefish ancient relict mississippi

the mississippi basin home highly diverse aquatic fauna , has been called mother fauna of north american fresh water.

fish

about 375 fish species known mississippi basin, far exceeding other north hemisphere river basin exclusively within temperate/subtropical regions, except yangtze. within mississippi basin, streams have source in appalachian , ozark highlands contain many species. among fish species in basin numerous endemics, relicts such paddlefish, sturgeon, gar , bowfin.

because of size , high species diversity, mississippi basin divided subregions. upper mississippi river alone home 120 fish species, including walleye, sauger, large mouth bass, small mouth bass, white bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, common shiner, freshwater drum , shovelnose sturgeon.

other fauna

in addition fish, several species of turtles (such snapping, musk, mud, map, cooter, painted , softshell turtles), american alligator, aquatic amphibians (such hellbender, mudpuppy, three-toed amphiuma , lesser siren), , cambarid crayfish (such red swamp crayfish) native mississippi basin.

introduced species

numerous introduced species found in mississippi , of these invasive. among introductions fish such asian carp, including silver carp have become infamous outcompeting native fish , potentially dangerous jumping behavior. have spread throughout of basin, approaching (but not yet invading) great lakes. minnesota department of natural resources has designated of mississippi river in state infested waters exotic species zebra mussels , eurasian watermilfoil.