Species that are considered uncertain risk need a more in-depth assessment beyond the Risk Summary to better define the species’ risk to U.S. environments.
Hypostomus niceforoi is a catfish native to Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Although species identification is not certain, it is currently believed to be established in the San Marcos River in Texas, and in southwestern Nicaragua. Although no evidence was found to suggest the species is currently in trade in the United States, the aquarium trade is an important pathway for introductions of species in the genus Hypostomus. Anecdotal impacts of H. cf. niceforoi in Nicaragua include declines in native fish populations and damage to fishing gear. However, no impacts have yet been quantified from introduced populations of H. cf. niceforoi. Therefore, history of invasiveness is classified as “none documented.” Climate match to the contiguous United States was medium overall, with high matches across large areas of Texas and Oklahoma, and small areas of Kansas and Georgia. Due to taxonomic uncertainty and lack of research on impacts of introduction, the certainty of assessment is low. Overall risk posed by H. niceforoi is uncertain.
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Uncertain Risk
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